HS2 CurzonStreet RailInfrastructure PrecastConcrete TransportInfrastructure

HS2 lifts first major beams for Birmingham Curzon Street station

Jun, 25, 2026
Railway Geotechnics Transportation Engineering Bridges Beams News On Projects / Industry
United Kingdom, Birmingham
Authored by: TheCivilEngineer.org

*The first prestressed precast concrete beams are lifted into position for Birmingham’s new HS2 Curzon Street station. Source: HS2*

Construction of Birmingham’s new HS2 Curzon Street station has reached a major visible milestone, with the first large prestressed precast concrete beams lifted into position. The beams will support the seven high-speed platforms forming part of the new city-centre terminus.

The works mark the start of construction of a 13,370 m2 deck, roughly the size of two football pitches. The deck will support the eastern end of the station and connect with the viaducts bringing HS2 trains into Birmingham from the east. For much of its length, the platform structure will sit on a viaduct-like arrangement supported by 188 concrete piers.

This phase follows the completion of 2,011 concrete piles that form a key part of the station foundations. The piles, ranging from 6 m to 24 m deep, were installed beneath the future station footprint, while 47,000 m3 of material was excavated to create a level base for the platforms.

More than 556 beams will be installed as part of the platform deck. The beams are up to 34 m long and weigh as much as 58 tonnes. They include 488 U-beams and 68 narrower L-beams, all manufactured off site before being transported to Birmingham.

The use of precast concrete elements allows major structural components to be produced in controlled factory conditions, reducing some on-site construction risks and improving programme efficiency. However, the logistics are complex. Deliveries are carefully timed for early morning arrival to reduce disruption on local roads.

Most beams will be lifted directly into place using large crawler cranes. However, around 120 beams located closer to the existing railway will be installed using self-propelled modular transporters. These specialist machines, supported by 96 wheels, lift the beams from underneath and place them precisely into position. This avoids the need for crane lifts next to the operational railway, helping keep services running into Birmingham New Street during the works.

Self-propelled modular transporters are being used to place beams close to the existing railway while reducing disruption to rail operations. Source: HS2

The first beam installations are focused on the area where the tram corridor will pass beneath the station. This will allow the section to be handed over earlier for tram track installation.

Once complete, Curzon Street station will stretch for around 450 m between Moor Street and Millennium Point. It will include seven platforms beneath a large arched roof, with onward connections to Birmingham city centre, Digbeth and Eastside. A new tram stop will also be built beneath the station, supporting integration with the wider public transport network.

The beam installation is part of a wider period of visible progress across HS2 in the West Midlands. At the same time, major works are being planned around the M42 and M6, where beams and viaduct structures will be installed during staged weekend closures. These works will allow HS2 to cross key motorway corridors while limiting disruption to road users.

For Curzon Street, the start of platform deck construction is an important transition from below-ground foundation works to the visible assembly of the station superstructure. It shows the scale of engineering required to deliver a major high-speed rail terminus within a constrained city-centre environment.

Sources: mediacentre.hs2.org.uk, bbc.com