06 May 2025
Another significant milestone has been reached on the HS2 project with the heaviest bridge structure of its kind in Europe having been completed and the A46 Kenilworth Bypass, a major transport artery in Warwickshire, reopened to traffic more than 30 hours ahead of schedule.

The huge, 14,500-tonne, concrete box structure was designed by the SYSTRA and Mott MacDonald Design Joint Venture (DJV) working on behalf of Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) for their client, HS2 Limited.

It was built alongside the A46 and then slid into place in the newly excavated cutting with teams working around the clock over a period of just 18 days thereby avoiding more than two years of speed restrictions, lane closures and traffic disruption that a conventional bridge design might need.

HS2 construction site at the A46 Kenilworth bypass. The photo shows the bridge's box structure next to the highway. There are a number of cranes and the construction site looks busy. In the background are lots of trees and fields.

Ian Johnson, Project Director at SYSTRA, said:

“To see the design brought to life and the successful slide of the bridge into position is a fantastic moment for the whole team.

“The collaborative approach between Mott MacDonald and SYSTRA is key to delivering these innovative, technical solutions for BBV and HS2, and ensuring minimal disruption and safe installation.

“Delivering such a complex design in challenging circumstances required a wealth of expertise and absolute dedication from our teams over the past few years, and we are incredibly proud of the successful slide.”

Find out more about SYSTRA’s work on HS2.

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