HS2 engineers have completed construction of Curzon 2, the tallest bridge on the new high‑speed rail network, marking a major milestone in the delivery of the railway between London and the West Midlands.
Final checks are now under way ahead of the bridge’s launch over the Cross City railway line, just outside Birmingham city centre. Once in place, Curzon 2 will form a striking new feature on the city skyline and a critical element of the route into HS2’s Curzon Street Station.
A Landmark Structure on the Curzon Approaches
Curzon 2 is part of the Curzon approaches, a complex arrangement of five viaducts that carry HS2 trains over the final mile into Birmingham’s new terminus. The bridge itself features a 24‑metre‑high steel truss, constructed from 670 individual steel sections, welded into distinctive triangular units.
Built using weathering steel, the structure will naturally darken over time, echoing Birmingham’s industrial heritage. Weighing 4,200 tonnes, the bridge will be launched into position in three carefully controlled phases, travelling a total of 180 metres.
When complete, Curzon 2 will sit above an existing Victorian railway viaduct, which already stands 17 metres high. The tip of the arched truss will rise to more than 40 metres – equivalent to a 10‑storey building.
Greg Sugden, HS2’s Head of Delivery for the Curzon approaches, said:
“Curzon 2 is designed to reflect Birmingham’s proud industrial heritage, and it will soon become a recognisable landmark on the cityscape – just like the Rotunda and the BT Tower.
“I’m immensely proud of the civil engineers, welders and apprentices that have each played a part in its construction and we stand ready for the final challenge – launching the bridge over the adjacent railway line.”
Three Years of Complex Engineering
The superstructure has been delivered by 250 engineers working for HS2’s construction partner Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), following three years of intensive engineering activity.
Ground strengthening works began in 2023, with 32 permanent piles installed to depths of around 30 metres. In 2024, the bridge’s 150‑metre‑long deck was assembled on top of the seven piers of the adjacent Curzon 1 viaduct, using more than 500 individual components lifted by crane.
Assembly of the steel truss followed, involving 4,200 tonnes of steel and some of the heaviest lifting operations on the HS2 programme. The constrained site – bounded by the River Rea and the live railway network – added further complexity.
Cranes weighing up to 650 tonnes were used, while welders worked at height around the clock inside specially fabricated enclosures to protect works from wind and adverse weather.
Onder Akin, Senior Project Manager for Balfour Beatty VINCI, said:
“This has been an incredible challenge and I’m extremely proud of the team who worked around the clock, in all weather conditions, to complete this magnificent structure.
“We are now preparing for the final stages, when the 4,200‑tonne steel truss will be moved into position using high‑precision hydraulic strand jacks. The structure will slide carefully into place over temporary bearings in a controlled operation.”
Bridge Launch and Rail Operations
The launch operation has been planned in close collaboration with Network Rail and West Midlands Trains to minimise disruption to passengers.
- Stage one will see the bridge pushed 50 metres to the boundary of the railway line during overnight working.
- Stage two requires a temporary closure of the Cross City line between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley, from Friday 29 May to Sunday 31 May 2026, as the bridge moves 93 metres over twin tracks.
- Stage three, a final 37‑metre push, will lock the structure into position on its four permanent piers.
The bridge is expected to reach its final position on Friday 5 June 2026.
Progress Across the Curzon Viaducts
Construction continues across the wider Curzon approaches:
- Duddeston Junction – the first of six launch phases was completed between 2–4 May 2026.
- Curzon 1 – further works will begin once Curzon 2 is launched.
- Lawley Middleway – phase one launched in August 2025, with phases two and three now under way.
- Curzon 3 – deck works at the station end are complete, with canal crossing works planned later this year.
Despite this progress, significant work remains across the 140‑mile HS2 route. HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Mark Wild is leading a comprehensive programme reset to ensure the railway is delivered as efficiently as possible and at the lowest reasonable cost.
Image credit: Network Rail
