A bridge in Buckinghamshire has taken a major step forward after engineers lifted nine steel beams into place.

Once completed, the bridge will carry Edgcott Road across HS2 and an existing freight line, which runs between the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton and the village at Calvert.

A 650 tonne crawler crane was used to lift the steel beams, which are made of ‘weathering steel’, into position.

Two concrete piers and abutments on either side will support the beams.

A reinforced concrete deck will sit on top to support the road.

“It’s great to see the first beams in position for Edgcott Road bridge. This unusually long structure will cross both the HS2 line and the currently disused freight line – keeping open the opportunity for it to be upgraded for local passenger trains in the future.

“The site team have made good progress so far and I look forward to seeing it come together over the next year as we complete the deck and the diversion of the existing road.”

HS2 Ltd Senior Project Manager Hugo Rebelo