HS2 Birmingham: Curzon Street Viaduct Nears Completion as Construction Milestones Stack Up
Despite the HS2 programme reset pushing the Curzon Street station opening beyond its original 2026 target, construction activity in Birmingham is hitting significant milestones in early 2026. Four parallel viaduct decks have been completed at Delta Junction near Coleshill, and the striking Curzon No 2 Viaduct is set to be moved into position this spring.
Delta Junction Breakthrough
The completion of four parallel viaduct decks at Delta Junction, stretching over 600 metres near Coleshill in Warwickshire, represents one of the most complex engineering achievements on the entire HS2 route. The junction, where the main London-Birmingham line meets the connection to the existing rail network, required precise construction tolerances and innovative engineering solutions.
The viaduct structures will carry high-speed trains at speeds of up to 225 mph, requiring foundations and deck construction that meet exacting standards far beyond conventional rail infrastructure. The completion of this section clears a critical path for track-laying works later in the programme.
Curzon No 2 Viaduct
Perhaps the most visually striking milestone is the Curzon No 2 Viaduct, a 25-metre-high weathering steel truss that will be slid into position across the Cross-City line in summer 2026. The dramatic engineering operation will see the pre-assembled structure moved into its final position over a weekend, minimising disruption to existing rail services.
The A47 in Birmingham has been subject to temporary closures in February 2026 to facilitate the Saltley Viaduct replacement, another key piece of HS2 infrastructure that connects the approach to Curzon Street station with the wider rail network.
Station Foundation Works
At the Curzon Street station site itself, 2,000 concrete columns are being installed beneath the future station platforms and concourse. These piled foundations, which began in 2024, must support the weight of the station structure, trains, and the thousands of passengers who will use the facility daily.
The station design features a striking architectural form that will create a new gateway to Birmingham, complementing the existing Curzon Street terminus building – the world’s oldest surviving piece of monumental railway architecture.
Revised Timeline
Following the programme reset in April 2025, the opening of the London to Birmingham section has been rescheduled from its original 2026 target to a window between 2029 and 2033. The Birmingham to Handsacre connection was deferred by four years in October 2025.
Operational testing is planned from summer 2026 through to autumn 2028, with a new cost and schedule to be formally agreed with the government during 2026. Meanwhile, the UK government has announced plans for a new Birmingham-Manchester rail link following the cancellation of the HS2 northern leg, ensuring that Birmingham remains at the heart of Britain’s future rail network.