The incredible new HS2 over-bridge opens to pedestrians and traffic after two years
The overbridge that stretches over a HS2 route has taken two years to build and has finally opened.
An impressive new bridge on a very busy A-road has finally opened after two years of construction. The A41 overbridge near Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire, stretches for 80 metres across a cutting that will carry HS2 rail services between London and the West Midlands.
In addition there was a road realignment which is 1.6 miles from end to end. Safety will be improved with new roundabouts - rather than the T-junctions used on the original road - on either side of the bridge, allowing traffic from Blackgrove Road and Waddesdon Hill to join the A41 more easily.
The footpath alongside the existing road south of Waddesdon has also been extended. Twenty-one U-shaped precast concrete beams were used to form the three spans of the bridge.
While the vast majority of the work was delivered without disruption to traffic, a series of weekend closures were needed for utility works and to safely complete the tie-in with the existing road.
Two more weekend closures will be required in the future to complete the final kerbs, road surfacing and some of the road lining.
Vlad Kolev, HS2 Ltd’s project manager, said: “Once complete, HS2 will dramatically improve journeys between our two largest cities while freeing up space on the existing rail network for more freight and local services.
“But it’s also important that we keep communities connected while we deliver this transformative project.
"That’s why smaller structures like the A41 overbridge are so important and I’d like to thank everyone in our team and across the supply chain who worked so hard to get it built and open to the public. It hasn’t been an easy job and I’d like to also thank the local community for their patience during the road closures.”
The construction of the bridge and road realignment was delivered by HS2’s main works contractor, EKFB - a group made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall.
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Ignacio Chicharro, project director for NC2A, which is a sub-team within HS2, said: “The opening of this bridge and road realignment marks a great moment for both the project and for the local area.
“It is the culmination of years of dedicated effort, careful planning, and determination from the entire team.
“This milestone also highlights the best of our EKFB One Team spirit, made possible through the close collaboration with our supply chain and subcontractors.
“A special thanks to the team from Clancy, whose contributions have been invaluable.”
The project is one of 500 bridging structures on the HS2 project, which range from small footbridges and drainage culverts to innovative ‘green bridges’ for wildlife and huge viaducts such as the record-breaking Colne Valley Viaduct which is now the longest of its kind in the UK.
