New Baker Viaduct expected to carry trains by May 2027 under Transpennine Route Upgrade

A major new viaduct being built as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade is expected to begin carrying trains within the next 12 months, marking a key milestone in the transformation of rail services between Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Leeds.

Baker Viaduct, located near Dewsbury in West Yorkshire, is due to enter use from May 2027. The structure forms part of a complex package of works that also includes a nearby flyover, creating a new rail layout where routes from Leeds and Wakefield converge towards Huddersfield.

Together, the viaduct and flyover will carry railway lines across the River Calder and the Calder and Hebble Navigation canal while supporting the wider expansion of the route to four tracks.

The new viaduct will accommodate four railway lines. The two central fast lines will rise over the flyover before descending to form the southern pair of tracks on the upgraded route towards Huddersfield. The outer tracks will drop down, with the westbound line passing beneath the flyover to connect with services from Wakefield.

Once complete, the northern pair of tracks will be used by stopping services calling at Ravensthorpe, Mirfield and Deighton, while faster TransPennine Express services will use the separated fast lines.

The future Ravensthorpe station has not yet been built but is planned to open in May 2028.

Senior Project Manager Adam Bunce said construction of Baker Viaduct is progressing, with two of the three sets of steel girders already installed and the final set due to span the River Calder. Work is also underway to install 360 precast concrete deck panels across the nine-span structure, which is supported by eight piers.

The viaduct has been designed with a gentle curve, allowing the outer tracks to diverge from the central fast lines as they approach the junction.

Elsewhere on the site, Network Rail is continuing work to install static frequency converters, which will supply power to new overhead line equipment as part of the route’s electrification. These will be located within the junction area.

Additional works include realigning the Wakefield lines northwards so they can connect properly with the new flyover. This involves earthworks to create a new embankment alongside the existing railway formation.

The viaduct forms part of the wider Transpennine Route Upgrade, one of the UK’s largest rail enhancement programmes. The project is designed to improve capacity, reliability and journey times across the corridor between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York.

Recent works have included a 24-day blockade around Bradley Junction, where teams renewed 6.2km of track, installed ballast, constructed more than 50 overhead line foundation bases, strengthened the cutting wall at Deighton and rebuilt Whitacre Street bridge.

A further blockade is continuing until 27 June, allowing Network Rail to extend platforms at Batley and Dewsbury, install a new footbridge at Batley and carry out track renewal works around Garforth.

At Huddersfield station, a new footbridge has been installed at the eastern end of the site and is expected to open to passengers later this summer. This will allow further work to take place on the existing subway.

Network Rail is also building new platforms at Huddersfield, with completion expected early next year following a 38-day blockade over the Christmas and New Year period. Once finished, the station will provide four through platforms and two bay platforms, supporting improved services across the upgraded route.

The expected opening of Baker Viaduct in 2027 will represent a major step in delivering the four-track railway needed to separate fast and stopping services, reduce conflicts at key junctions and increase capacity on one of the North’s busiest rail corridors.