A 320-metre viaduct has been completed on the HS2 route near Brackley, carrying the project across the floodplain of the River Great Ouse.
The Westbury viaduct is the longest in the Brackley area and will carry high-speed trains once the railway is operational. It is one of 15 viaducts being built by EKFB on HS2βs central section.
A lighter approach to construction
The structure uses a double composite design, with reinforced concrete above and below a steel beam. Inspired by Franceβs TGV network, the approach uses less concrete and steel than traditional designs, helping to reduce carbon emissions.
Steel beams weighing 2,695 tonnes were assembled beside the route and slid into position over several months. The concrete deck was then cast in 42-metre sections before prefabricated parapets were added.
Work now moves on to removing the hardstanding used by construction equipment and completing the landscaping. Nearby progress includes the completed Turweston green bridge and the realignment of the A43.
Why it matters for Britain
The milestone shows complex rail infrastructure taking shape in Northamptonshire, while the viaductβs construction method is designed to cut material use and associated emissions. It also supports specialist engineering and construction work across the HS2 supply chain.
