When finished, the station will extend for approximately 450 metres between Moor Street and Millennium Point with convenient onward connections to the city centre, Digbeth and Eastside.<\/p>\n
![\"U](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/0_U-beam-being-lifted-onto-an-SPMT-during-teh-installation-of-the-first-beams-at-Curzon-Street-June-.jpeg\")
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U beam being lifted onto an SPMT during the installation of the first beams at Curzon Street(Image: HS2)<\/p>\n
A new tram stop will also be constructed beneath the station as part of the line currently being built towards Digbeth and the location of Birmingham City’s new football stadium.<\/p>\n
Construction of the terminus is being led by HS2’s construction partner, Mace Dragados, which is working with specialist subcontractors MPB to lift the concrete beams into place.<\/p>\n
This work is initially concentrated on the area where the tram will pass beneath the station, so it can be handed over to Midlands Metro Alliance to begin laying track as early as possible. HS2 Ltd’s Project Client for Curzon Street, Jonathan Berry, said: “We’ve been making good progress with the construction of the station, but up to now, it’s mostly been beneath the ground \u2013 focused on the piling and foundations that will underpin the building.<\/p>\n
“That’s why it’s great to see the first beams in position as we begin to assemble the enormous deck that will support our seven high speed platforms.<\/p>\n
“Once complete, Curzon Street will become a new gateway to Birmingham, offering easy access to the city centre and connections to onward destinations, via tram, bus and rail, improving journeys and supporting growth across the West Midlands.”<\/p>\n
The majority of Curzon Street’s seven platforms will be constructed on a viaduct-style structure, held up by 188 concrete piers.<\/p>\n
These will form a vast 13,370 square metre deck \u2013 equivalent to two football pitches \u2013 which will support part of the platforms and link to the viaducts approaching the station from the east.<\/p>\n
The beams \u2013 ranging from 7 to 34 metres in length and weighing between 14 and 58 tonnes \u2013 are being produced at a factory in Ireland by Shay Murtagh Precast, before being transported to the site by road.<\/p>\n
Deliveries are carefully scheduled to arrive early in the morning, comprising 488 U-beams and 68 narrower L-beams. While the majority of the beams will be lifted directly into position using large crawler cranes, up to 120 of the beams situated closest to the existing railway are being placed onto a specialist piece of equipment known as a self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) before being manoeuvred into their final position.<\/p>\n
Supported by 96 wheels, these highly versatile machines lift the beams from underneath and place them with precision. This approach eliminates the risk of operating cranes adjacent to the railway and allows services to continue running into Birmingham New Street throughout the works.<\/p>\n
The first two beams were lifted on last week.<\/p>\n
Martyn Woodhouse, Project Director, Mace Dragados Joint Venture, said: “Lifting these first beams into place is a major logistical and engineering achievement, and a testament to the coordination across our teams and supply chain.<\/p>\n
“Each installation has been carefully planned to ensure it’s carried out safely and efficiently, particularly in such a constrained and operational environment.<\/p>\n
“This work is laying the groundwork for the platforms and brings us another step closer to delivering a world-class station for Birmingham.”<\/p>\n
Once finished, the high-speed route between London and the West Midlands will form a vital part of the UK rail network, helping to enhance journey times and free up capacity on the existing West Coast Main Line for additional freight and local services. The scheme is currently being subjected to a thorough overhaul, spearheaded by Mark Wild, Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd, with the aim of ensuring the railway is constructed as cost-effectively as possible and at the lowest feasible expense.<\/p>\n