M62 closure warning for new railway bridge to be built

The M62 will close in both directions for the entirety of two weekends this month for what National Highways have said is the 'first time in recent memory'.

Network Rail is demolishing and replacing the nearly 60-year-old Castleton bridge, during two full weekend closures between 9pm on Friday, September 6 and 6am Monday, September 9 and also 9pm on Friday, September 20 to 6am on Monday, September 23.

Due to the timings of the work over weekends, different closure and diversion arrangements will be in place for the westbound and eastbound carriageways – with the eastbound carriageway being closed from junction 18 of the M62 at Simister Island interchange to junction 20 of the M62 at Rochdale. 

The M62 is also currently down to three lanes while work is ongoing (Image: Newsquest)

The westbound carriageway will be closed between junction 20 at Rochdale and junction 19 at Heywood.

Drivers are warned to ensure they plan journeys ahead of time and to postpone travelling where possible. 

Dee Murray, operations manager for National Highways North West said: "This is going to be a big event that's being done at the moment, it's the replacement of a railway bridge and the closure of a main road so do plan your journey before you go out. 

"We are advising that if you can put your journey off, please do so. 

"If you do need to go out, allow extra time before you go out and then you will get to where you're going safely."

@theoldhamtimes The M62 will be closed in both directions over two weekends this month to demolish and replace Castleton Bridge. #oldham #m62 #castleton #motorway ♬ original sound - The Oldham Times

Network Rail's Olivia Boland, sponsor for the project, said: "I would like to thank passengers and motorists for their understanding while we carry out this work.

"It is a unique project which sees weekend closures of the M62 for the first time.

"Please check before you travel on the M62 or between Manchester and Rochdale from September 6." 

Following more than six months of work to create a safe-to-work site at the location and prepare the required materials, the M62 has also been down to three lanes since July 28, which is expected to last until October 18.

There will also be no rail services operating between Rochdale and Manchester from September 6 until September 24.

Over recent weeks, two steel structures weighing a total of 140 tonnes made the more than 200-mile journey from Newbridge, Ireland to Holyhead, Wales, and on to the North West of England in the last few weeks. 

The two steel structures are now incorporated into the base of the bridge's construction (Image: Newsquest)

They are now prepared and awaiting their installation on the new bridge, which will occur over the second weekend closure.

Diversions in place between the closures include eastbound drivers using the strategic road network, with drivers from the M66 or clockwise M60 and reaching Simister Island travelling to junction 21 of the M60 at Chadderton where they should then use the northbound A663 (Broadway) and northbound A627M to join the M62 at junction 20.

Drivers diverted off the westbound M62 at junction 20 will be sent back onto the motorway via Middleton – using the southbound A627(M), southbound A664 Rochdale Road and northbound A6046 Hollin Lane, re-joining the M62 at junction 19.

Motorists are also being reminded that there will also be nightly – 9pm to 6am - closures of the motorway in both directions between the two weekend closures.