Today I returned to Saltley in Birmingham to see how HS2’s latest bridge replacement project is progressing, and I noticed something very interesting.
The old Saltley Viaduct is already disappearing. The section over the railway appears to have been demolished, while nearby a substantial new steel structure is taking shape off-line. Could this be the future Saltley Viaduct being assembled before installation?
HS2 officially began its 18-month programme to demolish and replace the existing 183-metre-long Saltley Viaduct in May 2026. The new structure will be built around 2 meters higher than the existing bridge to allow the HS2 railway to pass underneath. It will also be wider, providing improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. The project is being delivered by Balfour Beatty VINCI as part of the wider HS2 works across Birmingham.
In this video we take a close look at:
✅ Demolition progress on the existing Saltley Viaduct
✅ The missing railway span above the Birmingham–Derby line
✅ A large new steel structure being assembled nearby – could this be the future Saltley Viaduct?
✅ The Duddeston Junction Viaduct, which appears to have grown again with another section added since my last visit
🦊 Bonus challenge: A fox made a brief appearance during filming. Let me know in the comments if you spotted it!
What do you think? Is the steel structure we can see on site the future Saltley Viaduct already taking shape?
📍 Location: Saltley, Birmingham, UK
📅 Filmed: 19 June 2026
#HS2 #SaltleyViaduct #Birmingham #HS2Birmingham #Infrastructure #Construction #CivilEngineering #BridgeConstruction #BalfourBeattyVINCI #RailwayEngineering
2 Comments
🦊 Fox Challenge!
While filming this update, I accidentally captured a local resident on camera for a few seconds. Did you spot the fox? If so, don’t give away the exact timestamp straight away — let’s see how many people can find it first! 👀
And while you’re here, what do you think about the new steel structure? Is it the future HS2 Saltley Viaduct taking shape?
first film footage seen of this _ since they closed the road some weeks back it isn't an easy place to see what's going on _ the view from the A47 traffic island at the end of Saltly Viaduct is very poor _ from where Duddeston Junction viaduct is being constructed _ again the view isn't good either _ definitely a drone footage area _ a YouTuber RK Vlogs has just done a couple of good videos of both the demolitions of Saltly Viaduct & Aston Church Rd _ just a few days ago _ looks like in future _ next year we'll be getting another lift & move with SPMT's _ can't see how else they can move it _ to heavy for mobile crane _ the road & rail bridges at Aston Church Rd both moved by SPMT's _ Duddeston continues to get longer again _ notice they've covered the new steel pier in that white covering they use to protect the welding team & welds from the weather _ going to be an interesting site now that steel is being assembled _ nice piece 👏