Hauliers have been alerted to upcoming disruptions in cross-Pennine transport due to the planned closure of a key section of the M62 for two full weekends next month.
Network Rail will be replacing a railway bridge over the motorway between junction 19 at Heywood and junction 20 at Rochdale.
The nearly 60-year-old Castleton bridge, which carries the main railway line over the M62 between Manchester and Rochdale, is set to be demolished and replaced with a new structure. The closures will affect both directions of the motorway from 9 p.m. on Friday, September 6, to 6 a.m. on Monday, September 9, and again from 9 p.m. on Friday, September 20, to 6 a.m. on Monday, September 23.
National Highways noted that this will be the first time in recent memory that the M62, which typically handles around 120,000 vehicles daily, will be closed for an entire weekend or an extended period for planned maintenance.
Diversions will be in place during the closures. Gary Farrell, senior network planner for National Highways, emphasized the importance of the bridge replacement, stating:
“Network Rail needs to replace this ageing bridge, a critical part of the railway infrastructure that supports the vital Manchester Victoria to Leeds service and other routes.
“We strongly advise drivers to avoid this section of the M62 during the two weekends, either by postponing their journeys or planning alternative routes. Those who must travel should follow the official diversions and not rely on sat nav directions.”
