Progress continues in Edgcott Road HS2 bridge replacement

The advancement signifies a massive leap forward for the road bridge replacement in Buckinghamshire.

The HS2 engineers completed a major task by fitting nine massive steel beams that constitute the principal structure of the new bridge.

The bridge extends to 112 metres and is designed to ferry Edgcott Road over the high-speed railway and the existing freight route.

The parallel pathways stretch five miles between the Bucks Railway Centre near Quainton and Calvert village.

The bridge is one of 24 HS2 bridges being built wide enough for both lines of tracks.

Replacement of the older, smaller bridge will enable the current unused railway to be potentially reactivated in the future.

The HS2 Ltd's principal works contractor, EKFB, is heading the construction of the bridge.

This task force consists of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction, BAM Nuttall, Eiffage Metal, Osprey, and Allerton Steel.

Using a massive 650-tonne crawler crane, they successfully lifted and placed the steel beams over the last month.

The work was carried out over four days (Image: HS2 Ltd)

Interestingly, the beams are formed from weathering steel, implying a naturally russet brown colour.

These beams were welded together on-site to create the main part of the bridge that was lifted in six sizable sections.

The entire structure comprising the steel beams weighs 610 tonnes.

They are supported by two 6.8-metre-high concrete piers on each side, and a sturdy concrete deck will be built on top to support the road traffic between Quainton and Calvert.

When fully operational, HS2 will facilitate long-distance trains between London and Birmingham.

This will drastically cut the journey times while liberating enough space for more local and freight services on the existing mainline.

HS2 Ltd senior project manager Hugo Rebelo said: "It’s great to see the first beams in position for Edgcott Road bridge.

"This unusually long structure will cross both the HS2 line and the currently disused freight line – keeping open the opportunity for it to be upgraded for local passenger trains in the future.

"The site team have made good progress so far and I look forward to seeing it come together over the next year as we complete the deck and the diversion of the existing road."

Furthermore, project director of EKFB, Mimi El-Sanhouri said: "Despite facing challenging weather conditions, EKFB and our sub-contractor teams pulled together to successfully install all nine steel beams over four days.

"Hitting this milestone in the construction programme allows us to unlock the next phase of construction."

Edgcott Road is one among more than 500 structures getting revamped.

Other structures include simple footbridges, 'green bridges' to encourage wildlife, and viaducts like Colne Valley, which would be the longest railway bridge in the UK.