Engineering Landmark: Hünnebeck Delivers on World’s Longest Bridge Slide

Advertisement feature from Hünnebeck

Hünnebeck by BrandSafway, in collaboration with MPB Structures, played a key role in one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure projects: the Marston Box bridge for High Speed Two (HS2). Now recognised as the world’s longest box slide on a bridging project, the 2,600-tonne structure was delivered with speed, innovation, and minimal disruption to motorway traffic.

Constructed next to the M42 in Warwickshire, the bridge was moved into position over 40 hours by a 450-person team on 29 December 2022—seven hours ahead of schedule. The operation used a high-tech jacking raft designed by Freyssinet and marked the first use of this technology for a UK motorway bridge. This raft-based technique allowed the bridge to be slid 165 metres into place in one continuous movement.

Efficient Design Meets Sustainable Delivery

The Marston Box structure was built by MPB Structures over a six-month period. Hünnebeck provided tailored formwork and shoring systems, enabling faster construction and improved site logistics. Their Manto panel and Gass shoring systems replaced traditional, labour-intensive formwork methods, helping cut down costs, time, and carbon emissions.

“It was critical to have early planning conversations,” said Mark Draycott, Hünnebeck’s National Infrastructure Manager. “By working with MPB and BBV, we ensured our systems were optimally integrated. Being just two miles from the site also greatly reduced transport needs.”

This close collaboration between Hünnebeck and MPB helped BBV reduce the environmental impact and disruption to the public. Instead of months of motorway closures and speed restrictions, the project required only two one-week shutdowns of the M42 across a full year.

A Milestone in UK Construction

Marston Box is part of the wider HS2 network and will connect to Dunton Wood Embankment in the south and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal Viaduct to the north. Once complete, the entire structure will measure around 190 metres, with Marston Box itself forming an 82-metre section.

Sasan Ghavami, BBV’s Construction Director, commented, “We’re extremely proud to have delivered the world’s longest box slide. It’s a huge milestone and a testament to the dedication and innovation of everyone involved.”

For the full project case study, visit:
👉 https://huennebeck.com/media/box-jacking-86-m-lange-vorgefertigte-eisenbahnbruecke-gleitet-an-ihren-einsatzort/

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