HS2 has reached a new significant milestone as 120 colossal beams have been installed on a 14,500-tonne box structure designed to take HS2 under the A46 Kenilworth Bypass in Warwickshire.
Construction partner for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) lifted the concrete beams, ranging between 13 metres and 24 metres, into place using three giant cranes to form an integral part of the structure’s top.
A dedicated team of engineers worked to complete the entire operation ahead of schedule in just 14 days.
The huge box, which is due for completion this year, is currently being built on land next to a section of the A46 rather than constructing it beneath the carriageway itself.
This is to avoid the need for up to two years of traffic management measures.
With the beams now in place on top of the box, the finishing touches include completing the deck – the flat surface placed on top of the beams – and installing parapets.
In spring, the completed structure will be moved into position under the existing carriageway using an innovative technique.
Specialist civil and structural engineering company Freyssinet designed a jacking mechanism which will push the box across on a guiding raft at a speed of up to 2.5 metres per hour for a total distance of 64 metres.
HS2, National Highways, BBV has now started preparing for the box push procedure.
The first stage of preparation work will begin next month.
John McNiffe, project director at Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: “The safe and successful installation of 120 giant beams is another great achievement for the Balfour Beatty VINCI team.”
“This 14-day operation required huge amounts of planning and precision and I’m really proud of the way they’ve responded to this challenge.”
The structural design has been carried out by Balfour Beatty VINCI’s Design Joint Venture, made up of Mott MacDonald and SYSTRA (MMSDJV).
Tim Akers, engineering manager for the Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the part we’ve played in the development of this structure. Through significant collaboration between HS2, National Highways and Balfour Beatty VINCI.”
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