Two of the UK’s biggest infrastructure projects celebrated a joint milestone this week after a new bridge, that will carry direct rail services between Oxford and Cambridge, was lifted into position over the route of HS2, the high speed rail line under construction between London, Birmingham and the North. Engineers working for HS2 used an enormous 600 tonne crane to lift the new bridge into position north of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The bridge deck, which weighs the same as 25 double decker buses, will carry East West Rail services linking Oxford, Bicester, Bedford and Cambridge, largely along a route that was closed in the 1960s. HS2 is designed to help to improve north-south rail services, boost the economy and provide zero carbon rail journeys. Construction is well under way, with more than 29,000 jobs supported by the project. Earthworks and bridges on this short section, where the two projects cross, is being built by HS2 contractors to improve efficiency and reduce the overall disruption to local residents. Weighing in at over 315 tonnes, the bridge near Calvert in Buckinghamshire, was assembled on site and lifted into position by an expert team led by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB – a group made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall. Made of weathering steel, the 35m long bridge is designed to naturally age over time to a dark brown colour to help match the tone of the surrounding countryside. It was lifted into position over a two-hour period with a 600-tonne crawler crane.
Two of the UK’s biggest infrastructure projects celebrated a joint milestone this week after a new bridge, that will carry direct rail services between Oxford and Cambridge, was lifted into position over the route of HS2, the high speed rail line under construction between London, Birmingham and the North. Engineers working for HS2 used an enormous 600 tonne crane to lift the new bridge into position north of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The bridge deck, which weighs the same as 25 double decker buses, will carry East West Rail services linking Oxford, Bicester, Bedford and Cambridge, largely along a route that was closed in the 1960s. HS2 is designed to help to improve north-south rail services, boost the economy and provide zero carbon rail journeys. Construction is well under way, with more than 29,000 jobs supported by the project. Earthworks and bridges on this short section, where the two projects cross, is being built by HS2 contractors to improve efficiency and reduce the overall disruption to local residents. Weighing in at over 315 tonnes, the bridge near Calvert in Buckinghamshire, was assembled on site and lifted into position by an expert team led by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB – a group made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall. Made of weathering steel, the 35m long bridge is designed to naturally age over time to a dark brown colour to help match the tone of the surrounding countryside. It was lifted into position over a two-hour period with a 600-tonne crawler crane.
