Work has started on the installation of 2,000 vertical concrete columns for the foundations of Birmingham's Curzon Street HS2 station.
The majority of the piles on the 1.07 million sq ft site will support the new station building and platforms above, with a smaller number of interlocking piles used to create the main walls of the station basement which will house operational facilities.
Curzon Street will be the Birmingham terminal of high-speed trains operating on the new line between the city centre, a new station close to Birmingham Airport and London.
The work is being led by HS2's contractor, the Mace Dragados joint venture, with support from companies including º£½ÇÊÓƵ engineering specialist Keltbray.
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A team of 80 people are delivering the foundations work using three 95-tonne, 100-foot piling rigs on the site.
Piling is planned to be completed by mid-2025, with the installation of further foundations on top of the piling starting next year.
The design of the station will also be finalised over the next year, focusing on the details of features including the roof and the internal fit-out of the station.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said: "The work happening at Curzon Street station is impressive and it's going to be a major part of our city's future.
"Even though it'll take a few years to complete, we're already seeing the benefits, with local businesses winning contracts and new jobs being created for people right across the region.
"What's really exciting is seeing so many young people, especially apprentices and trainees, getting hands-on experience in construction and engineering."
Dave Lock, HS2's project client director for Curzon Street station, added: "This is a great milestone for the project and means we will soon see this new landmark building take shape.
"We're now well on the way to building the region's new rail hub that will play a vital role in the long-term economic future of the West Midlands."
