A £22 million project is underway to replace rail bridge over M62 motorway

Authorities had closed parts of the M62 near Rochdale last week to enable the demolition of the old Castleton bridge and clear the debris. The closure caused traffic regulations at M62 eastbound between J18 and J20, and westbound between J20 and J19 that ended at 6 a.m. on Monday, September 9.

The demolition is a crucial part of the £22 million Network Rail project which includes the replacement of the bridge. The new bridge is planned to be installed at the end of September, when the authorities will close again the road between 20 to 23 of September. For the bridge’s replacement they will use two steel beams which are 42m long and their weight exceeds 70 tons. Constructors had transported the beams to the area of the construction through M62. Particularly, the operations are ongoing near Manchester Golf Club in Middleton.

It should be noted that officials have stated that the railway line that connects Manchester Victoria and Rochdale will open again on September 25, until then the public could use buses that will be facilitating transportation. According to Network Rail’s sponsor Olivia Boland, the M62 indeed will reopen on the 25^th of September with a maximum speed of 50mph. However, follow up construction work will continue for another 5 to 6 weeks, as she claims that they need to track the stress test and finish welding. After this period the maximum speed will be risen to 75mph.

In addition, Boland highlighted the importance of this project due to extreme deterioration of the old bridge. It has been recommended that the bridge be replaced within a two-year period because of its unstable condition. In all, she pointed out that this project was unique because of its size, scale and its location over a motorway.