Major £42m development as part of HS2 nears final phase of completion

A huge milestone is due to be hit soon for part of the HS2 development.

Construction of a 14,500-tonne box structure designed to take the new HS2 line under the A46 Kenilworth Bypass in Warwickshire has taken a major step forward, following the successful installation of 120 gigantic beams.

The huge box is currently being built on land next to the A46, rather than beneath the carriageway itself, which significantly minimises long-term disruption.

According to Kenilworth News Hub, the project was originally due to cost £38 million but has gone £4,673,000 over budget, with costs expected to rise further.

Due for completion later this year, the huge box is currently being built on land next to a section of the A46 rather than constructing it beneath the carriageway itself – avoiding the need for up to two years of traffic management measures.

In spring, the completed structure will be moved into position under the existing carriageway using innovative technique.

A section of the A46 between Festival Island (Coventry) and Thickthorn Island (Kenilworth) will be closed for two weekends next month for the first stage of preparation work – with plans to move the structure into position during a full closure of the A46 Kenilworth Bypass in spring 2025 for up to three weeks.

During the two weekend closures, from 8pm on February 7 to 6am on February 10 and from 8pm on February 14 to 6am on 17 February, HS2 engineers will upgrade road safety barriers, adjust the layout of the central reservation and complete advance drainage works under the carriageway.

Vicki Lee, Senior Project Manager for HS2 Ltd, said: “I’d like to congratulate the entire site team for successfully moving such a large number of beams into place and as we approach the final phase of the A46 box’s construction.

“I also thank motorists in advance for their patience as we prepare for the box push in spring and start our initial stage of preparation work during two February weekend closures of the road.

“This will allow us to carry out important work directly on the carriageway that would be unsafe for our workforce to do during live traffic.”

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