M62 to close in Greater Manchester for two weekends with rail services also impacted - full details
A significant stretch of the M62 will close for two weekends next month.
Major work is ongoing to replace a key bridge over the motorway at Castleton, Rochdale, with rail services also impacted. People are being urged to check before the travel from September 6 to 25.
The M62 will be closed over two weekends, on the eastbound carriageway between J18 and J20 and the westbound carriageway between J19 and J20. The first closure will be from 9pm on Friday September 6 until 6am on Monday, September 9. The second starts at 9pm on Friday, September 20 and runs until 6am on Monday, September 23.
During the road closure, engineers will dismantle the old 42-metre long, 2,000 tonne bridge and take it away on the M62. The new bridge will then be installed during the second weekend.
Outside of the full road closure, the motorway will be reduced to three lanes between July 28 and October 18. From Monday, September 9, until Friday, September 20, there will be nightly closures of the M62 between J19 and J20 from 9pm to 6am.
The railway will be closed from September 6 until the early morning of September 25 between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale. Rail replacement buses will be in operation.
Olivia Boland, Network Rail sponsor, said: “The replacement of Castleton bridge is essential for the safe running of our railway, and crucial to the country’s economy as 6% of the UK’s energy supply relies on the bridge for transportation.
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“I’d like to thank passengers and motorists for their understanding while we carry out this work. It is a unique project that sees weekend closures of the M62 for the first time. Please, check before you travel.”
Steve Mason, north-west programme delivery manager at National Highways, said: “We appreciate the understanding of passengers and motorists during this work and urge them to check travel plans for September 2024. National Highways is actively working with Network Rail to communicate the impact on road users and ensure a smooth process during this important upgrade.”
Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “I would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding whilst this important infrastructure work takes place. Rail replacement buses will be operating services between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale so customers can still get where they want to be – but journey times will be longer.”