Unique HS2 tunnel portal completed
25 Apr 2025Our Align JV builds tunnel extensions for HS2 to stop sonic booms from 200mph trains entering the 10-mile Chiltern Tunnel.
We're standing today at the South Portal which is part of
the HS2 alignment going from London to Birmingham and behind
me you can see we're constructing the first pier of
what will be 56 piers, which will form part of the Colne
Valley Viaduct. This is a big milestone because it's the
first concrete pour that's taking place for the piers. The
overall construction process will take about two and a half
years for the viaduct. They'll be supporting the deck segments
which are the precast deck segments which eventually will
be carrying the railway for HS2. It's a very special
project because HS2 and Align are utilizing a variety of
cutting-edge technology and construction techniques. For
example, they'll be using a launching gantry to launch the
precast segments. The use of a launching gantry is a very
sophisticated and complicated construction method that's used
around the world and it allows you to build your structure
faster, cheaper, and with a much better quality control and
efficiency. Everything we're doing on site here today and
everyday is governed by strict agreements and
regulated. These agreements govern everything we do in
terms of the construction on site including the plant and
machinery allowed to use. The hours of operation that those
plants and machinery can work. One of the key mitigations we
we do implement very strongly and very regularly is in terms
of letting people know exactly what's happening on site. For
warning the local residents about likely impacts of those
works is is crucial.
