The construction of the Green Bridge in Turweston, Buckinghamshire, by HS2 is progressing well.

This bridge, spanning 99 meters, marks a significant milestone on the high-speed route, providing safe passage for wildlife over the railway. Situated near the village of Turweston, the bridge will traverse one of the railway's longest and deepest cuttings, extending 2.4km past the village.

Thirty-six steel beams will support the structure, complemented by pre-cast concrete slabs for the deck. Landscaping, including the addition of hedgerows and shrubs (2,700 tonnes in total!) will cover the bridge, enhancing its ecological impact. The excavation of the cutting and foundation works for the bridge are currently underway, with FlyDJI documenting the progress through periodic videos.

Steelwork assembly is scheduled to commence later this year. Designed by EKFB, HS2's main works contractor, in collaboration with ASC and Moxon architects, the Turweston Green Bridge achieved a significant reduction in its carbon footprint during the design phase. This reduction, amounting to 42%, was achieved through improved ground conditions and design optimization, resulting in fewer carbon-intensive materials such as concrete and steel.

The bridge (one of 16 on the network) will cross one of the railway’s longest and deepest cuttings, which will stretch for 1.5 miles past the village of Turweston on the edge of Buckinghamshire and West Northants.

Elizabeth Longinotti, HS2 Ltd’s Senior Project Manager, said: ‘Green bridges are still rare in the UK and just one example of how HS2 is leading the way in terms of innovation and environmental protection. The bridge at Turweston will help keep communities connected, while supporting wildlife and biodiversity on either side of the railway. Once complete, HS2 will deliver faster, more reliable journeys between London and Birmingham – while freeing up space on the existing mainline for more local trains. But it’s also important that we deliver on our environmental commitments, which is why Turweston’s green bridge is so important.’

Follow the progress on our YouTube channel.

Read the full article on the HS2 Media Site.

Follow the progress by date in our HS2 Progress article.