Motorists can expect road closures over the June 7 and 8 weekend as HS2 viaducts are assembled across the motorway near Birmingham Airport.
The viaducts are being constructed to one side of the motorway, then slid into place to cut the duration of road closures. These twin bridges will carry HS2 over the M6.
This history of HS2
HS2 was launched with some fanfare in January 2009, when the UK government, under Labour, wanted to assess the case for a new high-speed rail line.
This led to the establishment of High Speed Two Limited (HS2 Ltd), a company tasked with developing the project.
In December 2010, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government proposed a Y-shaped route for HS2, connecting London to Birmingham, with branches extending to Leeds and Manchester.
The project was planned to be executed in phases, with Phase 1 covering the London to Birmingham segment.
Construction on Phase 1 officially began in 2019. However, the project has faced several delays and revisions.
As of the latest reports, the estimated opening date for Phase 1 is between 2029 and 2033, with HS2 Ltd targeting 2030.
The original HS2 plan has been scaled back. Notably, the eastern leg to Leeds was cancelled in November 2021, and the extension to Manchester was scrapped in October 2023.
