The driving ambition for these viaducts has been to create usable and flexible high-quality public spaces under the structures. We have done this through a number of design decisions including introducing light slots which split the deck into 4 fingers and maximise daylight underneath, minimising the footprint at ground level through the design of distinctive V-shaped piers and reducing clutter, for example by concealing drainage pipes.
“It’s fantastic to see the first section of the viaduct revealed and you now get a real sense of how the structure will not only bring HS2 into Birmingham but will itself contribute positively to the life of the city.
Stephen Powell, HS2’s Head of Delivery said:
“It’s fantastic to see the first sections of this viaduct revealed, giving a clear view of how HS2 trains will approach Birmingham city centre. Now visible, you can see how the separate deck sections maximise daylight underneath, and the V-shaped piers take up less room at ground level, providing opportunities for a usable public space that will add to the life of the city.”
The viaducts are designed by a Design Joint Venture of Mott MacDonald and SYSTRA with architects Weston Williamson + Partners, all working for Balfour Beatty VINCI.
Further sections of the Curzon 3 viaduct will be built in the same way, and later this year, the construction of the span over Digbeth Canal will commence using jacks to slide 34 temporary steel girders, each measuring 38 metres long, below the four steel tripods to support the falsework and formwork, necessary for the deck construction.
The large arched span over Lawley Middleway is made from weathering steel girders, and is currently being built on the site. It will be moved into place over the road during a series of short night-time road closures in the summer. Building it in this way drastically cuts disruption to road users.
Georgios Markakis, Section Manager at Balfour Beatty VINCI said:
“We’re entering a really exciting phase of the project now, as this iconic viaduct in the centre of Birmingham begins to take shape. These images revealed by HS2 demonstrate the enormous progress we’re making at our Curzon Street site.
“Using this momentum, we’re currently installing four parapets each day, while following the same process to complete the remaining deck spans, which we expect to finish in 2026.”
Nicholas Robertshaw, Design Project Director at Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture said:
“With the first sections of the Curzon 3 viaduct now complete it’s clear to see that this will be a landmark structure that everyone in Birmingham can celebrate and be proud of.
“From an engineering perspective Curzon 3 viaduct is a remarkably complex structure. With thanks to the hard work of the Design Joint Venue, this has only been made possible through extensive technical analysis and engineering excellence - the result of many years of innovative design development.”
