Connecting Communities and Nature: HS2’s Innovative Green Bridge at Turweston

The HS2 project has reached an exciting milestone with the construction of a 5,940 sq/m green bridge at Turweston, near Brackley. This innovative structure is designed to seamlessly integrate the new high-speed railway with the surrounding landscape, providing connectivity for both local communities and wildlife.

The bridge will carry a country lane and footpath while incorporating hedgerows and vegetation to create a safe corridor for small animals, insects, and birds. It is one of 16 green bridges planned along the HS2 route, each playing a vital role in reducing the railway's environmental impact while maintaining local accessibility.

The construction involves lifting 36 massive steel beams—each weighing up to 105 tonnes—into place using a 600-tonne crawler crane. These beams, assembled on-site, will support a concrete deck and 2,700 cubic meters of earth for landscaping. Beneath the bridge, a 1.5-mile-long cutting will house the track, minimizing noise and disruption for nearby residents.

Sustainability has been a key focus of the project. Optimized design and better-than-expected ground conditions allowed engineers to reduce the bridge’s carbon footprint by 42%. By replacing deep piles with shallow foundations, the team significantly cut the use of carbon-intensive materials like steel and concrete.

The Turweston green bridge showcases innovative engineering that balances functionality, environmental stewardship, and community connectivity. Beyond this bridge, HS2 is creating extensive wildlife habitats, planting 7 million trees and building five green tunnels to support biodiversity along the railway.

Following is the video where the HS2 assembling of the Turweston green bridge deck is demonstrated.