Major A43 road alignment project completed near Brackley as part of HS2 works

Drivers will now be directed across the new bridge, which will be excavated to allow the railway to pass beneath.

The work on the A43 was completed over two weekends to reduce disruption for drivers and to avoid the British Grand Prix.

Work began in 2023 when engineers realigned the road to create an ‘island’ between the two carriageways big enough for the construction of the new bridge.

They installed 52-metre-deep foundations before constructing supports and the 66-metre-long bridge.

Engineers then lifted seven huge steel beams into place to support the concrete bridge deck.

Once the road surface was completed, engineers closed one side of the A43 at a time over two weekends, diverting traffic onto the new bridge while keeping the opposite carriageway open.

HS2 Ltd’s Head of Delivery Luis Gonzalez said: “The A43 is a busy route between Brackley and Northampton and I’d like to thank drivers for their patience over the last two weekends, while we safely realigned the road over the new bridge. “With the traffic flowing over the top, we can focus on the next part of this complex multi-stage project – excavating the cutting that will take the railway under the road.”

The 50-mile stretch of railway that passes Brackley – including the A43 bridge – is being delivered by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB.

EKFB’s project director, Tony Wehby, said: “Completing the construction works on the A43 marks a significant milestone for the EKFB team and its supply chain partners.”