[5] During 2017, Contract C1 (Central 1), which covers the 21.6 km section of the line that the viaduct falls within, was awarded to the Align JV joint venture, comprising Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick.

On 19 January 2018, the design concept for the Colne Valley Viaduct, which was created by Knight Architects and Atkins, was unveiled by the British Government.

[2] The Colne Valley Viaduct is intended to be a major civil engineering work of High Speed 2, being amongst the largest and perhaps the most prominent single feature to be constructed during Phase 1.

[1] In terms of its basic configuration, it is a gently curved structure along a horizontal radius of 5,280 metres (17,320 ft), supported by 57 spans and weighing roughly 116,000 tonnes in total.

[11][1] Considerable attention has been directed to the viaduct's aesthetic design and to avoid unnecessarily impacting the surrounding landscape and local community.

To appropriately handle rail braking loads,of up to 9,000 tonnes a total of four shock absorber units are to be integrated into the deck structure of the viaduct.

The foundations will consist of driven piles upon which the faceted framework is installed; water-based piers are considerably more complex in shape and design.

[14] In April 2019, 12 Extinction Rebellion protesters began treesitting in order to prevent HS2 Limited chopping down trees as part of preparatory works at Harvil Road, near to the proposed site of the viaduct.

[1] Towards the northern end of the viaduct, a temporary construction compound has been assembled, which accommodates offices, plant, employee welfare facilities, and the pre-cast factories for the project.

[26] In February 2024, construction was halted for "urgent remedial works" in the week before the launching girder was due to begin crossing the Grand Union Canal.