Foundation work begins on HS2’s carbon-saving Wendover Dean Viaduct

Work has begun on HS2's pioneering low-carbon Wendover Dean Viaduct, with an expert team of ground engineers sinking the first of almost 63 concrete piles that will form the foundations.

Located south of the village of Wendover in Buckinghamshire, the 450m-long viaduct will be the first major railway bridge in the UK to be built with a ‘double composite’ structure, using significantly less carbon-intensive concrete and steel in comparison to a more traditional design.

Over the summer, engineers working for HS2 Ltd’s main works contractor, EKFB - a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall – will construct 63 concrete piles to form the foundations for the structure.

On top of each group of piles – which will range from between 38 and 46m deep - a concrete pile cap will support the pier which will in turn support the weight of the bridge structure above. Instead of hammering the piles into the ground, holes will be bored before being backfilled to create the pile.

The piers – some of which will be up to 14 metres high – will be cast as shells before being assembled on site and filled with concrete. This approach will reduce the amount of work on site and cut disruption for local residents. The first ‘double composite’ beams will be installed next year.

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[highvoltageswitcher]

Glad to see the railway is starting to take shape.

[johntyjp]

My late grandmother remembered the Great Central Railway opening at Great Missenden in 1899. The Drake family at Amersham forbade it going through their estate, so huge earthworks had to be constructed by 100s of navvies !!

[DavidShepheard]

Thanks for finding an efficient way to build this viaduct. I look forward to travelling over it one day.

[Jake-vocj]

How fast will the trains go when the railway is finished?

[NewsFlashStudios]

This is a great project! I don't understand why people hate this. A lot of them say it ruins the countryside, but I mean, there are 10's of thousands of square miles of countryside in the uk. I just don't get it.

[James-qdjl]

Anyone reading.... You owe it yourself to do all the
things you've dreamed. take that risk step to become
financial stable in this economy situation, I strongly
recommend Mr Johnson his trading strategies
and analysis are second to none, thanks for your help
on my family sir much love.

[darrenfitch]

Doesn't look pleasing on the eye... We have nothing on old school anything railway related was beautifully made, beautiful to look at... Wouldn't give this structure a second glance

[larx]

great engineering - stoopid low-carbon virtue signalling, what have you got against plant food???

[edwardkenworthy]

Let's hope our next prime minister cancels this insane project.

[AscotPhotographer]

What horrible destruction of a beautiful part of the country.

[stevendellow]

A terrible and reckless profiteering venture wasting millions of tonnes of fossil fuels and magnificent countryside. This is to enable the growth economy that has taken our country beyond reasonable limits. The imotive monologue is cringeworthy but judging by the faithful comments they mostly hit the mark.