The first pier which will carry HS2 trains into Birmingham has been constructed.
The five metre high V-shaped structure will help carry a 300 metre long viaduct into the new Curzon Street station.
Known as the Curzon No.3 Viaduct, the structure will feature 30 such piers and support tracks carrying the high speed trains into the seven city centre platforms.
HS2’s senior project manager for Curzon Street, David King, said: “It’s fantastic to see this first viaduct pier complete on the Curzon Street site, which starts to bring the design vision for this iconic structure to life.
“Construction on this site is supporting hundreds of skilled jobs in the region, and once built, Curzon Street Station will put Birmingham at the heart of the new zero-carbon high speed network.
“We’re also pleased to see eco-friendly materials being used in the construction method, supporting HS2’s ambition to cut carbon across the project.”
Over the last year, HS2’s main works contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI have been carrying out foundation works on site to prepare for the installation of the piers.
Each one will take up to four weeks to be fully installed on site, with the tallest reaching up to six metres above the ground.
Georgios Markakis, Balfour Beatty VINCI’s section manager, said: “The progress we’re making at our Curzon Street site is clear to see, following the completion of the first viaduct pier. It’s a really proud moment for the team and everyone who’s helped to prepare the site over the last couple of years.
“This is just the beginning of a rolling programme, where 30 piers in total will be installed, before the decks are put in place later this year – then the viaduct will really start to take shape.”
