A NORTH-East engineering company has installed the first permanent structure delivered for HS2.

The 65m road bridge, which crosses the M42 in the west midlands, was fabricated by Cleveland Bridge at its Darlington factory.

The bridge contains 1,130 tonnes of steel plate girders, with 16 of the 20 pre-assembled in Darlington as 50 tonne pairs to minimise the number of delivery vehicles on the road.

They were then assembled in a purpose-built area using 8,500 high-strength bolts to construct the single span bridge.

Spanning the width of the M42, close to the HS2 interchange station at Solihull, the works to install the bridge were completed in two days.

Sedgefield MP Paul Howell joined the Cleveland Bridge project team to view the installation. He said: “This is the first of two bridges at the Interchange Station that will be built using steel fabricated in County Durham and watching the bridge being manoeuvred into place was a magnificent first for me.

“The contrast between the scale and the precision of the project is truly remarkable. Completed ahead of schedule, it is a real tribute to the skill and expertise of the everyone involved."

“HS2 will increase the capacity on our national rail network and importantly for the North-East it also provides opportunities for local industry now and in the future.”

Chris Droogan, managing director of Cleveland Bridge UK, said: “We were delighted Paul Howell MP could join us in the West Midlands to see first-hand how the structural steel projects we undertake in the North-East form part of major infrastructure projects like HS2.

“The successful design, fabrication and installation of this bridge is testament to the close collaborative relationships that exist by the JV, contractor and supply chain and we are proud to have played a significant part in its delivery.

“It is the latest in a long-line of landmark bridges and steel structures produced by Cleveland Bridge for significant infrastructure projects utilising a strong blend of experienced and highly skilled workers with the latest technology and efficient working practices.”