A viaduct in Northamptonshire has become the first on the HS2 project to be completed as engineers installed the last stretch of parapet along the sides.
The 163m long Highfurlong Brook Viaduct, near the village of Aston le Walls, is one of more than 50 being built as part of the new rail project.
Consisting of seven spans, the viaduct crosses Highfurlong Brook’s floodplain at a height of around 9m. Each span is made up of four beams weighing up to 56 tonnes which were lifted into position last year to form the backbone of the structure.
Each of the beams – which are up to 25m long – were manufactured off site before being delivered over night to reduce disruption for local road users. The deck – which will support the track and electrical systems – was poured in situ earlier this year, with the parapets along each side manufactured off site and installed over the last four months.
Highfurlong Brook was delivered over two years by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB – a group made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall. The design was done by EKFB’s design partner ASC working with architect Moxon.
With the viaduct now structurally complete, the next phase of construction will include delivering the earthworks that support the railway at either end before a separate set of contractors comes in to install the rail systems, including track, signalling, power and communications systems.
Scott Corsar, EKFB’s Project Manager said: “We have achieved many ‘firsts’ with Highfurlong Viaduct, from the first viaduct to have its full deck installed to the first structurally complete viaduct on the HS2 programme following the recent installation of 136 parapets.
“This would not have been possible without the hard work, consistency and collaboration of everyone involved with the structure, from our designers down to our operatives out on site.”
