A38(M) Aston Expressway Tame Valley Viaduct strengthening scheme completed

Birmingham City Council has successfully completed the A38(M) Aston Expressway Tame Valley Viaduct strengthening scheme, securing the long-term future of one of the city’s most important transport links.

Completed on 6 August 2026, the £93.4 million project was delivered ahead of schedule and within budget. The scheme was supported by £72.1m of Department for Transport (DfT) Local Growth Fund investment, with the remaining funding provided by Birmingham City Council.

The strengthening works have restored the viaduct’s full structural capacity, ensuring it can continue to carry unrestricted traffic while extending its service life by many decades.

Cllr Rob Grant, cabinet member for transport, said: “The A38(M) is one of the region’s busiest strategic routes, carrying more than 90,000 vehicles during a typical weekday.

“While we want to see fewer vehicles on the roads, particularly for shorter journeys, this junction provides a vital connection with the wider strategic road network. If the strengthening works had not been done, significant weight and width restrictions would have been necessary, causing major disruption to motorists, businesses and the regional economy.

“This was an incredibly complex engineering project, so it is particularly impressive to see that it has been delivered ahead of schedule and within budget, all while keeping traffic flowing. That is a real benefit to residents, businesses and visitors, and I would like to extend my thanks to all involved.”

The 620-metre-long Tame Valley Viaduct, which opened in 1972, forms the northern section of the A38(M) Aston Expressway between Birmingham City Centre and Junction 6 (Spaghetti Junction) of the M6.

Comprehensive structural assessments identified that the viaduct required major strengthening to ensure its long-term future.

Construction began in March 2022 and involved strengthening a complex 21-span viaduct that crosses local roads, businesses, electrified railway lines and the River Tame.

One of the project’s principal objectives was to maintain traffic on this critical route while carrying out the works. Through careful planning, innovative engineering and close collaboration between Birmingham City Council, its consultants and contractors, the scheme was successfully delivered while minimising disruption to road users.

The completed project safeguards this nationally significant structure for future generations and represents one of the largest highway infrastructure investments undertaken by Birmingham City Council in recent years.

The Tame Valley Viaduct Strengthening Scheme has received national recognition for its engineering excellence, innovation and collaborative delivery, including:

• Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) – Best Large Project Award
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) – Best Public Sector Project

These awards recognise the commitment and expertise of everyone involved in successfully delivering this landmark infrastructure project.