Link roads joining two of the West Midlands region’s major motorways are to shut for more than two days for HS2 works. The roads join the M42 and the M6 near Water Orton and are being shut this weekend (Saturday, September 7 to Monday September 9) for the latest phase to put two 158-metre composite viaducts in place which will carry the high speed rail line over the roads.
HS2 said throughout 2023 it has been constructing piers and abutments for the viaducts in place, with most of the work being done ‘off-line’ meaning it has not affected the live road network. Then in February this year it launched the first section, pushing the bridge halfway across the motorway.
Then in April 2024 this section was pushed across the second carriageway. An HS2 spokesperson said: “This technique allows for the viaduct decks to be built offline and positioned during short closures of the M42/M6 link road. In June 2024, during the third phase of these works we pushed the first section of the west viaduct over the westbound carriageway.”
The spokesperson continued: “To make HS2 possible in the West Midlands, it is necessary to construct multiple assets within what is known as Delta Junction. This area is located from Green Lane in Coleshill up to Water Orton Village.
“These assets will support the construction of the HS2 line of route, ensuring the future operation of HS2 is possible. Delta Junction is situated in the borough of North Warwickshire and consists of several large construction assets that Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) are responsible for delivering.
“Delta Junction incorporates the main line running north to south and the line running in and out of Birmingham known as the Birmingham Spur/North Chord. We are now ready for the fourth phase of installation which involves pushing the second section of the west viaduct over the eastbound and westbound carriageway of the M42/M6 link road.”
The two link roads, eastbound and westbound, which join the M6 with the M42 will be closed from 3am on Saturday, (September 7) to 5am on Monday (September 9) to complete the bridge launch of the west viaduct. Westbound the closure will be in place from the M42 southbound at junction 8 to the M6 northbound at junction 4a.
And eastbound the closure will be in place from the M6 southbound junction 4a closing access to the M42 northbound and southbound.
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