HS2 Completes 1,620-Tonne Longhole Viaduct in Warwickshire

WARWICKSHIRE, UK – Engineers working for HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), have completed the installation of the 1,620-tonne Longhole viaduct deck. The operation, which began on March 4th, 2026, used hydraulic jacks to slide the weathering steel structure into place over a country road and the Grand Union Canal. The manoeuvre was successfully concluded at 19:00 on March 5th, one week ahead of schedule.

What Is the Full Scope of This Project?

The viaduct installation is the culmination of a two-and-a-half-year programme of preparatory works. This included the installation of 34 piles at depths of up to 30 metres, the construction of two concrete piers and two abutments, and the placement of 37 precast planks forming the deck’s base. A new seven-metre-deep sheet pile retaining wall was also constructed to replace the canal’s century-old soft bank, with a peak team of 40 personnel engaged on the project.

Key Project Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Projects?

The ‘skid shoe methodology’ used for the Longhole viaduct is a standard industry practice for installing large bridge structures over existing infrastructure with minimal disruption. While this project represents a critical physical milestone for HS2’s London-West Midlands phase, other major UK rail investment programmes are concurrently advancing through different development stages. For example, the Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) programme recently awarded Amey a contract for design and development consultancy on the Leeds to Sheffield corridor, focusing on capacity and journey time improvements. This highlights the parallel track of tangible construction on HS2 versus network development and design for NPR. (Source: RailUK, 2026).

Editor’s Analysis

The successful and early completion of this complex engineering task is a crucial operational win for the HS2 project, which continues to face intense scrutiny over its budget and schedule. Delivering tangible assets like the Longhole viaduct demonstrates physical progress, contrasting with the planning and design phases of other national infrastructure schemes like Northern Powerhouse Rail. This progress is vital for maintaining momentum and justifying the government’s continued high-spend strategy on long-term capital projects, which extends beyond rail to include areas like quantum computing technology. (Source: Telecoms.com, 2026).

FAQ

Q: What is the ‘skid shoe methodology’?
A: It is an engineering technique where a large structure, like this 1,620-tonne viaduct deck, is built adjacent to its final location and then pushed horizontally into place. The process uses powerful hydraulic jacks and low-friction pads, often made of a Teflon-like material, to slide the structure along temporary tracks or beams.

Q: Where exactly does this viaduct fit into the HS2 route?
A: The Longhole viaduct is located in Warwickshire, just one kilometre from the north portal of the Long Itchington Wood Tunnel. Trains exiting the tunnel will pass through the Ufton Wood cutting before crossing the viaduct to join the Welsh Road embankment.

Q: Was the cost of the Longhole viaduct disclosed?
A: No, the specific cost for constructing and installing the Longhole viaduct was not provided in the announcement. The cost is integrated into the wider budget for this section of the HS2 Phase 1 route being delivered by Balfour Beatty VINCI.