M O’Brien deliver successful preparation works for the UK’s first “box slide” railway bridge on HS2.

M42 Marston box slide

This Christmas whilst Santa was loading his sleigh, the M O’Brien team were busy loading our fleet low-loaders with some 50 items of plant getting ready to undertake the preparation works for HS2’s Marston box rail bridge.

The unique construction method is being used to dramatically reduce traffic disruption over a traditional bridge build which would create significant disruption for motorway users and require 3 months of overnight closures, with 50mph reduced lane widths for up to two years. The box slide method results in only two one-week road closures of the M42 motorway in a 12 month period. The 10,000 tonne bridge “box” structure will be built on the land next tot he motorway and then a hi tech raft will glide it into position.

The M O’Brien group of companies pooled came together for an integrated delivery solution led by M O’Brien Civil Engineering and supported by: Skyland Drainage, Lowery Demolition and M O’Brien Plant Hire on this project, carrying out multiple elements of the preparation works including:

  • Bulk excavation of the route
  • Management of tip facilities
  • Haulage of material
  • Careful removal and disposal of asbestos
  • Installation of drainage
  • Compaction and stabilisation
  • Installation of road base ready for surfacing
  • Reinstating of barriers and verges

M O’Brien Plant hire supported the project and supplied over 50 items of plant and over 75 operators for the day and night operation, which started on Christmas eve 2021. With outstanding performance from all involved, the road was reinstated and opened ahead of schedule and most importantly the project was carried out safely.

If you have a project that needs to work to strict time constraints, and require a plant hire provider that you can rely on, the M O’Brien team are always on hand to help, contact us on 01582 840045 to discuss your requirements.