Birmingham Curzon Street Station, which will be net zero carbon in operation, will be the first brand new intercity terminus station built in Britain since the 19th Century.
HS2's contractor Mace Dragados joint venture (MDJV) has been in Stage One of the contract since 2021, working with HS2 to develop the detailed programme. It has now started to deliver major earthworks to prepare the site for piling and foundations work, with construction of the main station building due to start in the Summer.
Jason Millett, Mace Dragados JV board director, said: "HS2 Curzon Street Station presents an unparalleled opportunity to generate positive change for Birmingham and the West Midlands. Aside from the benefits of improved rail travel for millions of people across the region, the station will drive urban regeneration, connect communities, create long-term employment, and proudly stand as a hive of activity in the heart of a booming city centre.
"The benefits don't begin with the completed station, though. Building on the excellent foundations laid by the early works and main works civils contractors, we are determined to enhance HS2's legacy by identifying and implementing opportunities to drive sustainability and achieve social value at every step of the way.
"We're looking forward to bringing industry-leading ideas, innovations and expertise from across our international construction and consultancy teams to deliver this landmark station for the West Midlands."
Work on the station façade will begin in Summer 2025, with construction of concourse steelwork and the roof due to start in Autumn 2025. The internal fit-out of the station will start towards the end of 2025 and finish at the end of 2028. Operational testing and commissioning will run from Summer 2026 to Autumn 2028.
Once complete, HS2 will almost halve the journey time between London Euston and Birmingham to just 49 minutes, with trains running north via the existing rail network to destinations such as Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow.
Trains will approach Birmingham through a series of structures being delivered by HS2's main works contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV). This includes the 3.5-mile Bromford Tunnel and a series of five connected viaducts from Washwood Heath, and over the existing Victorian railway line, Lawley Middleway and Digbeth Canal. The final approach to the station - Curzon Viaduct No.3, also being delivered by BBV, widens from a single deck to four separate decks, spanning 65m at the wideset point, to carry seven tracks to the platforms.
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