The construction of a bridge that will allow high speed trains to pass under the busy A43 near Brackley has taken a major step forward with the structure’s enormous steel beams lifted into position during a series of three weekend closures.

The A43 – which links Oxford, Brackley and Northampton – is a vital route, providing access to Silverstone and connections between the M40 and M1. It was reopened just before midnight on Saturday night after the last of three weekend road closures.

Preparation for the work began in 2023 when HS2 engineers, working closely with National Highways, realigned the road to create an ‘island’ between the two carriageways big enough for the construction of the new bridge deck.

Using a ‘top-down’ approach, they sank 52m deep piled foundations and then built the pile caps and piers that will support the 66-metre-long bridge deck carrying the road. This weekend, they lifted the last parts of the seven steel beams that will support the bridge deck using a 750-tonne crane.

With the beams now in position, the team will focus on the concrete deck and parapets. Once the bridge has been built, the road will be moved back onto the new bridge and excavation can begin to create space for the railway to pass underneath.

This multi-stage approach was designed to keep traffic flowing and disruption to a minimum.

HS2 Ltd’s Senior Project Manager Elizabeth Longinotti said:

“The A43 is a busy route between Brackley and Northampton and I’d like to thank drivers for their patience over the last three weekends, allowing us to safely lift the enormous steel beams into position while the road was closed. With the beams now in place, we can focus on the next part of this complex multi-stage project – pouring the concrete deck ready for the road to be moved onto the new bridge early next year.”

(Pic: HS2)