Midlands’ longest single span railway bridge installed

A NEW single span bridge, the longest in the Midlands at 92 metres, was installed on the Stetchford-Aston line over the weekend of May 7/8.

The blue brick arched viaduct which spanned the Birmingham-Derby/Leicester line at Washwood Heath was demolished over the May bank holiday weekend. This allowed the new bridge, which has been built in an adjacent compound and weighs 2600 tonnes, to be eased into position using 18 Self Propelled Modular Transporters.

The new bridge will also span the new HS2 tracks into Curzon Street and to the Washwood Heath maintenance depot.

NETWORK RAIL Right: A view of the new bridge ready to be rolled into position. In the foreground is Aston Church Road, and in the top right corner is land now prepared for the HS2 maintenance depot.