Images released as HS2 construction takes place in Northants
A section of viaduct is being constructed over the River Cherwell
HS2 has begun assembling the half-kilometre long Edgcote viaduct, which is set to become only the second viaduct in the UK to have all its major structural elements manufactured off-site.
The company says that will help to speed up construction, boost efficiency and reduce the number of lorry movements on local roads.
At distance of 515 metres long, the viaduct will carry the railway across the floodplain of the River Cherwell, south of Chipping Warden.
The structure was redesigned last year after the early success of HS2’s first modular viaduct, which is being built across the River Thame outside Aylesbury.
This is as construction on the high speed link is set to continue here in Northamptonshire, linking London and Birmingham, despite other stretches being scrapped by the Government last year.
There will be three viaducts constructed at Edgcote, Lower Thorpe and Highfurlong Brook, and a main works compound at Chipping Warden.
HS2 trains will also travel underground in two new eco-friendly ‘green tunnels’.
Parsa Tashakkori, who is an HS2 ltd engineer says:
"It's great to see what we can accomplish when we all pull together.
"I have been involved in the project from the very beginning, and it is just amazing to see."