Network Rail is investing more than £22m to rebuild a major railway bridge that takes trains over the M62 in Castleton, near Rochdale.

In recent weeks, two 42 metre, 70 tonne steel beams have been delivered to the work site during an overnight closure of the M62.

The beams were manufactured in Newbridge, Co Kildare, Ireland, before making the voyage over the Irish Sea to Holyhead, Wales.

Passengers and motorists are urged to check before they travel this September as rail and road closures are required to replace the 42 metre long, 2000 tonne bridge.

The M62 will be closed over two weekends, on the eastbound carriageway between J18 and J20 and the westbound carriageway between J19 and J20:

• 9pm Friday 6 – 6am Monday 9 September
• 9pm Friday 20 – 6am Monday 23 September

During the road closure, engineers will dismantle the old 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 until 18 October.

From Monday 9 September until Friday 20 September, there will be nightly closures of the M62 between J19 and J20 from 9pm to 6am.

The railway will be closed from 6 September until the early morning of 25 September between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale. Rail replacement buses will be in operation.

Passengers are advised to check their travel in advance as journey times will be significantly longer than usual.

The bridge, known as Castleton bridge, carries 6% of the UK’s energy supply across the country, as freight trains carry material to and from Drax power station in Selby.

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.

“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 on the M62 or between Manchester and Rochdale from 6–25 September 2024.”

Network Rail are working with National Highways and Transport for Greater Manchester to help road users understand what the work means for them.

Passengers are advised to check before they travel from 6–25 September, as no trains will be running between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale.

The bridge plays a crucial role in the safe journeys of around 3,000 rail freight services a year.