Visualisation of the Lower Thorpe viaduct.

Lower Thorpe Viaduct

Set into a valley, the viaduct will carry high speed trains across Banbury Lane, near the Northants village of Thorpe Mandeville.

Lower Thorpe Viaduct

Watch on YouTube - HS2 completes three-day Northants viaduct slide

Viaduct construction

The steel and concrete deck of the Lower Thorpe viaduct – which stretches for 220m – was assembled to one side before being slid into position in just three days, reaching the north abutment.

During the slide, special pads covered in PTFE – a Teflon-like material usually found on the surface of a non-stick frying pan – were used to minimise friction between the deck and the temporary steel bearings on top of each of the five concrete piers.

With the steelwork now in position, engineers can begin the next stage of the operation, lowering the deck 60cm onto the permanent bearings before work on the concrete deck and parapets can begin.

Slide 1 of 4: Aerial view of Lower Thorpe Viaduct deck installed in final position.

Slide 2 of 4: Close up view of the double composite structure of the Lower Thorpe Viaduct deck.

Slide 3 of 4: Aerial view of Lower Thorpe Viaduct looking along the deck during the slide.

Slide 4 of 4: Aerial view from alongside the Lower Thorpe Viaduct deck slide.

Thumbnail 1 of Aerial view of Lower Thorpe Viaduct deck installed in final position.

Thumbnail 2 of Close up view of the double composite structure of the Lower Thorpe Viaduct deck.

Thumbnail 3 of Aerial view of Lower Thorpe Viaduct looking along the deck during the slide.

Thumbnail 4 of Aerial view from alongside the Lower Thorpe Viaduct deck slide.

Viaduct design

The viaduct will help manage flood risk by ensuring that rainwater can continue to run off into existing watercourses. Made of a distinctive russet-coloured weathering steel, it has been designed to help match the natural tones of the surrounding countryside.