The development has aimed to minimise disruption. Credit: HS2.

High Speed Two (HS2) has initiated the foundational works for a bridge to take the A43 road over the new high-speed railway, near Brackley, England, UK. 

The project follows the temporary realignment of the A43, a route connecting Oxford, Brackley, and Northampton, and facilitating access to Silverstone and major motorways. 

The A43 also serves as a connector between the M40 and M1 motorways. 

HS2, in collaboration with National Highways, required weekend closures over a seven-month period in order to create a temporary ‘island’ for the bridge’s construction. 

HS2 engineers are now constructing the 52m-deep piled foundation, which will support the bridge’s weight.  

This will be followed by the installation of concrete pile caps and piers that will hold the 66m-long bridge deck. 

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Upon completion of the bridge deck, the A43 will be repositioned over the new structure.  

This will allow for the excavation work necessary to provide clearance for the HS2 railway to pass underneath.  

This phased construction strategy was employed to maintain traffic flow and minimise local disruption. 

The nearly 80km section of the HS2 railway passing through Brackley, including the A43 bridge, is being constructed by EKFB. 

EKFB is a team comprising Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction, and BAM Nuttall, in partnership with ASC, a joint venture between Arcadis, Setec, and COWI.  

The A43 bridge is one of approximately 500 bridges being constructed as part of the HS2 project.  

HS2 senior project manager Elizabeth Longinotti said: “It’s great to see the start of foundation works for the A43 overbridge. Once complete, HS2 will boost connections between Britain’s two largest cities while freeing up space for more local services on the existing network. But it’s also vital that we keep the local routes which people depend on open while we build the railway. 

“That’s why we’ve worked closely with National Highway[s] and our contractors to design and deliver a complex multistage project which will keep disruption to a minimum while we deliver this key overbridge.” 

HS2 is aimed at enhancing connectivity between London, Birmingham, and the north of England. 

It also intends to alleviate congestion on the existing West Coast Main Line into London Euston, creating more capacity for local train services.