The new Curzon 2 viaduct, which will carry future HS2 services into Birmingham city centre, has been successfully installed over the existing railway between Duddeston and Birmingham New Street, marking a major milestone for the West Midlands section of the high‑speed rail project.
The complex operation was delivered using an innovative ‘fully restrained’ engineering method, developed collaboratively by HS2 and Network Rail. The approach allows engineers to continue moving sections of the viaduct into place even after passenger services have resumed, significantly reducing disruption on one of the region’s busiest rail corridors.
Crucially, the method enables construction to continue while trains are running, supporting the wider objective of delivering HS2 while keeping the existing rail network open and operational wherever possible.
The installation took place over a carefully planned three‑day period, during which the 4,200‑tonne structure was safely positioned above the Cross City line. Services have now resumed as planned, with the normal timetable back in operation.
Patrick Cawley, director for On Network Works at Network Rail and HS2, said:
“Thank you to passengers for their patience while we carried out this vital work to install the Curzon 2 viaduct. Over the last three days we’ve been able to deliver a complex installation of the new 4,200 tonne structure over the Cross City line safely and efficiently.
“The innovative method we’re using means we can continue installing the remaining sections of the viaduct while trains are running again, reducing the need for further disruption and keeping passengers moving.”
West Midlands Railway, which operates services on the Cross City line, welcomed the successful completion of the work and the swift return to normal operations.
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at West Midlands Railway, said:
“We are grateful for our passengers’ patience while this complex installation was carried out over the past three days. The Cross City line has now reopened as planned and our normal timetable is in operation.”
The Curzon 2 viaduct forms a critical part of the infrastructure required to bring HS2 services into Birmingham Curzon Street, the new city‑centre terminus. Once complete, it will help unlock additional capacity on the existing railway, supporting more reliable passenger services and improved freight performance across the region.
Image & Video credits: Network Rail
