4,600-tonne viaduct eased across the M6

UK FIRST AS HS2 BRIDGE INSTALLED WITHOUT CLOSING THE MOTORWAY

- STAFF REPORTER

HS2 rail engineers claimed a UK-first over the weekend when they successfully slid an enormous 4,600-tonne viaduct across the M6 without closing the motorway reducing disruption to drivers.

The 17-hour-long operation was the culmination of a three-stage process to install the 315-metre east deck of the M6 south viaduct, which will carry high-speed trains heading to Birmingham. Previous bridge installations have required a weekend closure of the main carriageway.