HS2 engineers have successfully installed the final two of six large bridge sections that will carry the high-speed railway over the M42.

The two viaduct spans were lifted into place at the Water Orton site, in Warwickshire, during the weekend closure of the motorway, with the works completed in the early hours, HS2 Ltd said.

The viaducts form the top of the triangular "delta junction" for the high speed railway, linking Birmingham with the main line heading north.

Agnes Usciak, the firm's senior project manager, thanked residents and motorists for their patience during a "huge programme of work".

"Splitting a huge construction programme into four separate weekends requires meticulous planning, and our engineers executed the entire operation with pin-point precision, ensuring the motorway reopened on time, every time."

The motorway was shut in both directions from 21:00 BST on Friday to about 05:00 BST, to allow construction to be completed.

A separate team also installed the final deck beams that will support another major HS2 bridge, known as the twin box, during the closure, HS2 added.

The 300m (984ft) long structure, near the NEC, is formed of two boxes that will also carry the railway over the carriageway.

Oliver Shore, project director for Balfour Beatty VINCI, which has been working on the scheme, described the twin box and Water Orton viaducts as "three major structures" crossing over the M42.

"In just four weekends, we've completed the bridging works on each of them, closing the gap over the north and southbound carriageways," he added.

"This was a huge engineering challenge and I'm so proud of the way our teams have responded."

The M42 is also set to be closed from 21:00 on 23 October to 05:00 on 26th October, to enable the viaduct's parapets to be installed.

The M6 carriageway would remain open during the works, HS2 confirmed, with only the M42 north to M6 north connector road expected to be shut.

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