The M62 motorway near Rochdale has been fully reopened following a significant demolition project over the weekend.
The stretch of the motorway between junction 18 and junction 20 was completely closed from Friday night through early Monday morning to allow for the dismantling of the old Castleton bridge.
This marked the first time in recent memory that this section of the M62 was entirely shut off for an entire weekend due to major construction works.
Major Works Completed
The closure, which began at 9pm on Friday, September 6, was part of a £22 million project undertaken by Network Rail. The demolition of the Castleton bridge, located just beyond Manchester Golf Club in Middleton, was a critical step in the project’s progress.
The works involved the careful dismantling of the old bridge structure and its removal from the site, which had been a key element of the extensive infrastructure project.
National Highways confirmed the successful completion of the demolition and the reopening of the M62 at approximately 4:45am on Monday morning. The typically bustling motorway had been eerily quiet during the closure, a stark contrast to its usual activity.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), National Highways expressed their gratitude to drivers for their patience. “All works have been completed on the @networkrail ‘Castleton Bridge replacement’ weekend closure.
The #M62 is now fully reopened in both directions between J18 (#M60) and J20 (#A627M #Rochdale). Many thanks for your patience and have a safe journey.”
Upcoming Works and Railway Closure
While the motorway has reopened, the project is far from complete. Network Rail Manchester also posted an update just before 7am on Monday, thanking the public for their patience during the closure and informing them of the next phase of the project.
“The M62 reopened this morning! Thank you for your patience during our weekend closure. We’ll be back again on Friday 20 September to install the new bridge. The railway remains closed until 25 September.”
The next major closure is scheduled from 9pm on Friday, September 20, to 6am on Monday, September 23. During this period, Network Rail will be installing the new bridge over the motorway.
The railway line between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale will remain closed from September 6 until the early morning of September 25, with rail replacement buses operating in the interim.
Details of the Project
Olivia Boland, a Network Rail sponsor, provided insights into the ongoing project in a previous interview with the Manchester Evening News. Boland explained that the main construction would be completed by September 25.
She emphasized that it is common for such works to be carried out on Saturday nights when trains are not running, though there will be additional work needed to finalize the welding and stressing of the track.
“The railway will open with a small speed restriction on it (50mph) and then after five to six weeks, when the railway works are done, it will reopen to line speed of 75mph,” Boland said.
She highlighted the urgency of the project, noting that the bridge’s deteriorating condition necessitated its replacement within a two-year timeframe. Although the bridge had not reached a critical state, its condition was deemed insufficient for long-term use.
Boland acknowledged the complexity and rarity of the project, particularly in the north-west region.
“We (Network Rail) replace bridges all the time but this size and scale, over the motorway, is something we don’t do that often, especially in the north-west. It is quite a novelty for us to do – it’s probably one of the first in the north-west for us to replace a motorway bridge.”
Community Impact and Feedback
The temporary closure of the M62 had a significant impact on local traffic and commuters. The extensive nature of the works meant that drivers had to find alternative routes, causing potential delays and disruptions.
National Highways and Network Rail have both acknowledged the inconvenience caused and thanked the public for their cooperation and patience during this critical phase of the project.
Local residents and businesses were affected by the closure, with some experiencing disruptions due to altered traffic patterns and increased congestion on alternative routes.
However, the successful completion of the demolition and the reopening of the motorway have been met with a positive response from the community, as it signifies the advancement of essential infrastructure improvements in the region.
Future Developments
As the project progresses, there will be further updates on the installation of the new bridge and the completion of associated works.
Network Rail has committed to keeping the public informed about the project’s developments and any additional closures or changes that may affect travel and transportation in the area.
In conclusion, the reopening of the M62 motorway marks a significant milestone in the ongoing bridge replacement project. The successful completion of the demolition phase is a testament to the coordination and efforts of National Highways and Network Rail.
With the next stage of the project set to begin later this month, drivers and residents can expect continued updates and progress as the new Castleton bridge is installed and the railway line is restored to full operation.
