Industry news
Deck beams being lifted at the M42 twin box site during the September weekend closure.
Final Water Orton works continue A team of 75 installed the final two spans of Water Orton Viaduct 2 over the southbound carriageway.
Each 45-metre-long span was constructed from 18 precast segments manufactured at BBV’ s concrete batching plant in Kingsbury. Once assembled, the 1,000-tonne spans were moved into position using self-propelled modular transporters before being secured with tensioning cables inside the viaduct.
BBV’ s Design Joint Venture, comprising Mott MacDonald and SYSTRA, designed the structures.
BBV will now extend Water Orton 2 by a further 40 metres to close the remaining gap above Gilson Road. Engineers will install the parapets along the viaducts.
Oliver Shore, Project Director for Balfour Beatty VINCI, said:“ The twin box and Water Orton Viaducts are three major structures that cross the busy M42 motorway. In just four weekends, we’ ve completed the bridging works on each of them, closing the gap over the north and southbound carriageways.
“ This was a huge engineering challenge and I’ m so proud of the way our teams have responded.
Water Orton viaduct span on an SPMT ahead of a weekend lifting operation in July 2026.
Their skill, dedication and hard work throughout the summer means we can move forward to the next exciting phase of our work.”
The final Water Orton Span being lifted across the M24 during the September closure.
Further motorway closure planned
A further M42 closure is planned from 9pm on Friday, 23rd October to 5am on Monday, 26th October, allowing engineers to install viaduct parapets above the motorway. National Highways used the closures to carry out its own works, including demolition of Bickenhill Bridge at the northern side of the M42 junction 6 roundabout.
HS2 said the project is now at peak construction, with teams working to increase productivity. Other progress includes platforms at Old Oak Common, completion of the first‘ green tunnel’ and the Curzon 2 viaduct on the approach to Curzon Street.
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