HS2 celebrated a milestone in the journey towards completing one of UK’s biggest infrastructure projects.
A giant 600 tonne crane could be seen lifting a new bridge into its position on the HS2 route on on December 1 north of Aylesbury on the Calvert cutting near the Calvert Green and Steeple Claydon villages.
The bridge deck, which weighs as much as 25 double decker buses, will connect the East West Rail services linking Oxford, Bicester, Bedford and Cambridge largely on disused railway line, which closed in the 1960s.
HS2 contractor EKFB’s project director Dave Newcombe said: “The Calvert area is home to an important interface between two new railway networks which will see HS2 running underneath the East West Rail line.
“The build of this intersection, carried out by EKFB, was clearly thought out with our local communities at the forefront of our plans. To reduce disruption for residents, achieve maximum delivery efficiency and reduce costs, EKFB carried out the earthworks and the build of the new bridge for East West Rail.
“Now, we’re pleased to be able to lift the structural steel platform onto the bridge – a great milestone for our construction programme.”
It took the crawler crane two hours to lift the 315-tonne bridge, and since then the teams have worked to secure the deck and finishing touches.
Measuring 35 metres, the bridge was made using naturally aging weathering steel designed to change its colour to dark brown to blend it better with the surrounding landscape.
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