A major milestone has been achieved in the construction of HS2’s Interchange Station in Solihull, with the successful installation of 15 colossal bridge beams.
A team of 20 specialists carefully lifted and positioned the 565-tonne concrete beams using a 650-tonne crane. These beams form the foundation of a two-lane road bridge that will span 63.5 metres, carrying vehicles over the high-speed railway and connecting to the station’s car parks.
The completed bridge, scheduled for early 2025, will be a key component of the station’s infrastructure. The next phase of construction will involve pouring a concrete deck over the beams, followed by the installation of parapet walls and surfacing work.
A Catalyst for Regional Growth
The Interchange Station is set to be a major catalyst for economic growth in Solihull. The station is expected to create 30,000 jobs, support up to 3,000 new homes, and generate 70,000 square metres of commercial space.
The station will provide seamless connectivity to the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham International Station, and Birmingham Airport via an Automated People Mover (APM) system. Strategically located between the M42, A45, and A452, the 150-hectare Interchange Station site will serve passengers travelling to London and other destinations in the north, with journey times to London reduced to just 38 minutes.
Collaborative Effort
Laing O’Rourke has been awarded the contract to build Interchange Station, with design work currently underway. Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), HS2’s main works civil contractor for the West Midlands, is preparing the site and carrying out preliminary civil engineering work, setting the stage for full construction to commence in early 2026.
Ailsa Waygood, HS2 Ltd’s Project Client for Interchange Station, said: “As we approach a new phase of construction, we are excited to bring our plans for Interchange Station to life. Interchange will be transformational for the Midlands, providing new jobs and supply chain opportunities, and becoming one of the best-connected transport hubs in the UK.”
“We’re very proud to mark this engineering milestone and I’d like to thank everyone involved for delivering the operation safely and precisely during particularly challenging weather conditions.
Maddy Belgrove, Site Sub Agent for Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: “HS2’s Interchange Station is really beginning to take shape, now we’ve safely and successfully lifted the 15 bridge beams into place. This five-day operation required a huge amount of planning and precision, and I’m really proud of the way the team has responded to this challenge, especially during the recent bad weather.”
HS2’s extensive network of over 500 bridging structures, ranging from small footbridges to major viaducts like the West Link and East Link Viaducts, is progressing rapidly. As construction accelerates between the West Midlands and London, HS2 is currently supporting over 31,000 jobs.
