HS2 has finished construction on UK's 'longest railway bridge'

The bridge spans 2.1 miles (3.4 kilometers) over the River Colne in Buckinghamshire

HS2, the UK's new high-speed rail network, has completed work on what it calls the "longest railway bridge" in the country. The bridge, which spans 2.1 miles (3.4 kilometers) over the River Colne in Buckinghamshire, is part of the first phase of HS2, which will connect London to Birmingham. It is expected to open in 2026.

The bridge is made of steel and concrete and weighs 160,000 tonnes. It was built using a technique called incremental launching, which involves assembling the bridge in sections and then pushing it into place.

The bridge deck is supported by 12 piers, each of which is 100 feet (30 meters) tall. The bridge also features a 1,000-foot (300-meter) span over the River Colne, which is the longest single span on the HS2 network.

The bridge will carry high-speed trains traveling at speeds of up to 250 miles per hour (400 kilometers per hour). It is expected to reduce journey times between London and Birmingham by 30 minutes.

HS2 is a major infrastructure project that has been under construction since 2017. The first phase of the project, which will connect London to Birmingham, is expected to open in 2026. The second phase, which will connect Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds, is expected to open in 2033.

HS2 is a controversial project, with some critics arguing that it is too expensive and will not deliver the promised benefits. However, the government has argued that HS2 is essential for the UK's economic growth and will help to reduce congestion on the country's railways.

The completion of the bridge is a major milestone in the construction of HS2. The bridge is a testament to the engineering skill and expertise of the HS2 team and will play a vital role in the UK's future transportation network.