Project Description:

The Colne Valley Viaduct is a structure of international significance, and its design reflects that. A symbol for the UK’s high-speed railway network and responsive to its unique landscape setting. The 3.4km long structure will be one of the largest viaducts in Europe and few infrastructure projects have been designed to meet such demanding technical and operational requirements.

Judges Comments

High Speed 2 is the UK’s new 225km high-speed railway line between London and Birmingham, and this viaduct is an important landmark structure on the route. The striking 3.4km long concrete structure is the longest rail viaduct in the UK and the designers had to tackle many complex environmental constraints, including sites of special scientific interest, national nature reserves and other areas of national importance. To deal with thermal and other movement, the viaduct is split into four structural modules with expansion buttresses in between to provide the required articulation.

Structural Designer

Ingerop / Rendel

Location

Colne Valley, United Kingdom