HS2 | New A41 overbridge and 2.6km of road realignment in Aylesbury completed

The key road linking Aylesbury and Bicester was reopened on Monday after a weekend closure to reroute it via the new bridge across the High Speed 2 (HS2) route near Waddesdon.

This new overbridge was built slightly north of the existing road and stretches for 80m across a cutting that will carry HS2 rail services between London and the West Midlands. Two new roundabouts were also constructed as part of the project.

EKFB built the bridge using a “top-down” method, with the deck built at ground level resting on piles driven deep into the ground, before the earth was excavated to form the cutting.

A total of 21 U-shaped precast concrete beams were used to form the three spans of the bridge with the deck and wingwalls cast in situ.

While the vast majority of the work was delivered without disruption to traffic, a series of weekend closures were needed for utility works and to safely complete the tie-in with the existing road. In total, the construction of the bridge has required seven utilities diversions.

Two more weekend closures will be required in the future to complete the final kerbs, road surfacing and some of the road lining.

The new road surface over the bridge was laid over the past weekend, 21 and 22 September, with traffic using the new alignment from 5.30am on Monday 23 September morning. The temporary roundabout at the entrance to HS2’s A41 site compound will be removed at a later stage once HS2 construction is complete.

HS2 Ltd stated that safety will be improved with new roundabouts on either side of the bridge allowing traffic from Blackgrove Road and Waddesdon Hill to join the A41 more easily. The footpath alongside the existing road south of Waddesdon has also been extended.

Aerial view of the new A41 bridge between Waddesdon and Aylesbury, September 2024

HS2 Ltd project manager Vlad Kolev said: “It’simportant that we keep communities connected while we deliver this transformative project. That’s why smaller structures like the A41 overbridge are so important and I’d like to thank everyone in our team and across the supply chain who worked so hard to get it built and open to the public.

“It hasn’t been an easy job and I’d like to also thank the local community for their patience during the road closures.”

NC2A project director Ignacio Chicharro said: “The opening of this bridge and road realignment marks a great moment for both the project and for the local area. It is the culmination of years of dedicated effort, careful planning, and determination from the entire team.

“This milestone also highlights the best of our EKFB One Team spirit, made possible through the close collaboration with our supply chain and subcontractors. A special thanks to the team from Clancy, whose contributions have been invaluable.”

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