Early works for HS2 are being carried out by a joint venture between Laing O’Rourke and J. Murphy & Sons, known as LM. LM has been carrying out works near the A452, A45 and M42 since 2018. We refer to this area as the Interchange area because it will be the home of the future HS2 Interchange Station. Located near to the National Exhibition Centre and Birmingham International Airport, the Interchange Station will be a major transport gateway for the region, providing high speed rail connections to London, Birmingham and the North of England.

To date, LM’s early works have included undertaking different types of surveys, vegetation clearance and utility diversions along the future HS2 railway route.

To ensure that the local road network is fit for purpose when the future HS2 Interchange Station is operational, LM is expanding and improving the existing network and creating new routes on HS2 land. These works will be concentrated on and around Northway Island, and on the B4438 and Northway. To link the new network with existing routes, LM will build four connecting highways bridges.

The first of four new highways bridges in the Interchange area to be built by LM will span the M42. Work is well underway on this highways bridge. LM has successfully installed the shell units that make up the bridge abutments, which connect the deck of the bridge to the ground at the end of its span and support its weight. In June, LM began constructing the bridge deck alongside the M42 on HS2 land using steel beams and pre-cast units in preparation for installation. Installation will require the closure of the M42 for one weekend between junctions 6 and 7A (northbound) and junctions 7 and 6 (southbound), starting after evening rush hour on Friday 7 August 2020 and reopening before morning rush hour on Monday 10 August 2020.

To minimise disruption in the local area during construction works, LM has adopted a construction method called Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA). This means that LM is making the bridge shell units off site in a factory in Nottinghamshire. Once each unit has been finished, it is brought to the Interchange area and put together alongside the M42.

Traditional methods of bridge building require prolonged road closures and disruptive equipment such as cranes. By using the DfMA method of construction, the quantity and duration of traffic measures on the local road network can be minimised and the time needed to install the bridge over the M42 is drastically reduced.

Throughout July, ongoing preparation works will continue, such as vegetation clearance and surveys. To safely carry out these works, temporary traffic measures will be required intermittently on the M42, A446 and A452. To continue to minimise disruption during peak travel times, where possible, these traffic measures will be in place overnight. LM will also stagger works along these routes to avoid overburdening the road network.

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Temporary traffic measures will be required on the M42 throughout July. Advance notice of these dates will be given nearer the time of work. To minimise disruption during peak travel times, where possible, traffic measures will be in place overnight. You will still be able to travel along the M42 in both directions throughout preparation works.

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Once all preparatory works are finished, sections of the M42 will be temporarily closed so LM can install the bridge deck. The area between junctions 6 and 7A (northbound) and junctions 7 and 6 (southbound) will be closed after evening rush hour on Friday 7 August 2020, and reopen before morning rush hour on Monday 10 August 2020. If work progresses faster than expected, the M42 will be reopened earlier if possible.

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During the temporary closure, diversions will be in place and clear signage will be displayed along the route for drivers. To help keep traffic flowing, free vehicle recovery will be provided should a vehicle break down along the planned diversion routes.

LM has worked with Highways England and local authorities to ensure that no other major roadworks are being carried out in the area during the temporary closure of the M42. This will help avoid any further delays to your journey.

You can view the divertion routes here.

The bridge across the M42 will be fully completed by the end of 2020, but will not be open to traffic.

All of LM’s works are subject to change depending on site and weather conditions, or they could be affected by unforeseen incidents on the road network. LM will keep you informed of any adjustments to the M42 closure schedule at www.hs2insolihull.co.uk

If you have any questions regarding the M42 closure and the bridge deck installation, please contact the HS2 Helpdesk. You can contact the Helpdesk on:

Freephone: 08081 434 434

Email: hs2enquiries at hs2 dot org dot uk

You can subscribe to HS2 in Solihull at www.hs2insolihull.co.uk to receive live news updates about all of HS2’s works in Solihull and associated traffic measures, including the M42 bridge deck installation.