West Midlands Viaduct Rebuilt for HS2 Rail
Birmingham's Saltley Viaduct closes May 10 for 18-month demolition to make way for HS2
HS2 Closes Saltley Viaduct May 10 for 18 Months
Birmingham's Saltley Viaduct will close to all traffic and pedestrians May 10, 2026, as HS2 begins an 18-month demolition and reconstruction project. The 183-meter bridge spanning the B4114, located two miles northeast of city centre, will be replaced with a taller, wider structure to accommodate the high-speed rail line below. Construction partner Balfour Beatty VINCI will lead the complex operation affecting multiple transport routes.
Context
The existing viaduct crosses the B4114, Birmingham and Derby rail line, Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal, and River Rea, making the demolition particularly complex. HS2 Ltd and BBV worked with Birmingham City Council and Transport for the West Midlands to plan the four-stage demolition programme. The replacement bridge will be two meters taller to clear high-speed trains and four and a half meters wider than the current structure. Officials said the wider design will provide additional space for cyclists and pedestrians with improved walkways.
Details
Rail services between Birmingham and Derby will face disruptions on two weekends: June 6-7 and June 13-14, during demolition of sections above the railway line. The Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal will close to narrowboats and pedestrians from July 14 to August 17 between Roving Bridge 97 and the M6 Viaduct at Salford Junction. Bus services will be rerouted with additional temporary stops added, officials said. The Aston Church Road overbridge, which opened earlier this year, will serve as part of the diversion route during construction.
Timeline
The viaduct closes May 10, 2026, with the four-stage demolition programme expected to last up to 18 months. Rail disruptions are scheduled for early June weekends, while the canal closure runs for five weeks in mid-summer. Officials said the phased approach minimizes impacts on multiple transport modes. The new bridge will feature LED lighting on weathering steel panels and wider walkways.
Impact
Drivers, pedestrians, rail passengers, and canal users will all face disruptions during the 18-month project. Motorists and pedestrians should use the Aston Church Road overbridge diversion route starting May 10. Rail passengers should expect replacement bus services on the two June weekends. Canal users must plan alternative routes or wait until mid-August to resume passage through the affected section. Moovit provides real-time updates for Birmingham bus routes and rail services affected by the construction.
