The firm has been granted Schedule 17 consent for a section of viaduct carrying trains into Birmingham's new Curzon Street Station, including a 25-metre-high truss which will create a new icon on the city's skyline.
The bridge consists of a gently curved truss in weathering steel which carries HS2 over the Victorian brick rail viaduct below, and which will reach 40 metres into the air, resting at least 17 metres above the ground. The bridge will carry three parallel high speed rail tracks over the existing east-west rail line. Closer to Curzon Street, the tracks will split further to serve the seven platforms being built at the station.
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A major light artwork by British artist Liz West, will introduce a dynamic colour palette to the apertures of the steel truss, framing views of the city. Titled "Out of the Blue", the artwork will establish the bridge as a stunning feature of the city’s landscape at night, when the artwork will come to life. The Council has asked HS2 to develop the proposals detailed in the art strategy to enable a separate Schedule 17 submission.
HS2 Ltd’s Design Director, Kay Hughes said: "We're thrilled that our design for the Curzon No.2 Viaduct has been approved by Birmingham City Council, which marks another significant milestone for the HS2 project in the West Midlands.
"We took an ambitious approach to create an iconic structure for the city, working with leading contemporary artist Liz West and our architects to create a distinctive light installation which will provide a fitting addition to the Birmingham skyline."
