The first section of the Birmingham M6 South Viaduct Project has been successfully launched into position, marking a major milestone for HS2’s high-speed rail line near Birmingham Airport.
First Launch Completed
Balfour Beatty VINCI led the operation to slide the 119-metre-long “East Deck” into place over the weekend. The viaduct, which will eventually stretch 320 metres, is being built next to the M6 and launched in three phases to reduce disruption to motorists.
This staged method allows each section of the viaduct to be installed progressively. The weight of the structure will grow from 1,300 tonnes for the initial launch to 3,290 tonnes by the final stage, which will cross the main M6 carriageway and the M6-M42 link roads.
Twin Viaduct Design
The East Deck of the Birmingham M6 South Viaduct Project will carry two high-speed tracks toward London. A parallel West Deck, to be installed in 2026, will carry northbound trains toward Birmingham and beyond. Both decks include pre-cast concrete slabs fixed on a steel framework, enabling faster and safer installation.
Strand jacks—powerful winches—were used to pull the deck at 12 metres per hour across low-friction pads. A 36-metre “launch nose” guided the structure, easing the weight on its leading edge during the slide.
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Collaboration and Engineering Innovation
The complex engineering operation of the Birmingham M6 South Viaduct Project is a result of collaboration between Balfour Beatty VINCI, Victor Buyck Steel Construction, and HS2’s design joint venture Mott MacDonald and SYSTRA. The structure’s design features weathering steel, which develops a rust-like surface that protects it from corrosion and reduces maintenance.
Four pairs of concrete piers support the viaduct, with the tallest standing at 9.9 metres. A 4.5-metre-high parapet will be installed to shield Chelmsley Wood residents from noise.
Stakeholder Support
Russell Luckhurst of Balfour Beatty VINCI praised the team’s efforts, saying, “This complex viaduct is really beginning to take shape. It’s a huge achievement.”
Liam Kenney of HS2 Ltd added, “This marks a major step forward for the Birmingham M6 South Viaduct Project, helping to improve rail capacity and free up local lines for more services.”
National Highways, Birmingham Airport, and the NEC are working closely with the team to ensure minimal disruption for road users and the local community as work continues on this vital infrastructure link.
