M62 Castleton bridge replacement

Network Rail is replacing the existing bridge that takes trains over the M62, between junction 19 and 20 near Rochdale.

Start date April 2024

End date October 2024

Cost £27 million

Latest updates

09 September 2024

Drivers thanked for their patience

Motorists are being thanked for their understanding after the M62 was closed over the weekend for a railway bridge demolition.

Network Rail is investing more than £22m to rebuild a 42-metre-long, 2,000 tonne bridge that takes trains over the motorway in Castleton, near Rochdale.

For the first time in recent memory, the M62 is being closed over two weekends.

This weekend, 120 people worked round-the-clock to demolish the existing bridge which takes trains between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale.

Caption: Workers used heavy machinery to carefully pull the bridge apart

Further motorway closures to take place

Road users are reminded that from Monday 9 until Friday 20 September, there will be overnight (9pm to 6am) closures of the M62 in both directions between junction 19 (Heywood) and 20 (Rochdale).

The nightly closures will allow Network Rail to safely carry out preparations ahead of the new bridge being installed later this month.

If you are travelling at these times, please plan ahead and allow more time to complete your journey. The overnight diversion routes can be found below.

Keep an eye on our daily closures and our regional X (formerly Twitter) page for the latest information.

Second full weekend closure

To safely install the new bridge over the motorway, a second full weekend closure will also be taking place from 9pm Friday 20 September to 6am Monday 23 September.

As with this weekend, the M62 will be closed from junction 18 (Simister Island) to 20 (Rochdale) eastbound and junction 20 to 19 (Heywood) westbound.

In addition, the railway is closed until the early morning on 25 September between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale.

Rail replacement buses are in operation. Passengers are advised to check their travel in advance as journey times will be significantly longer than usual.
04 September 2024

M62 to close this weekend

Motorists are being reminded that a key section of the M62 at Rochdale will be closed this weekend.

From 9pm Friday 6 to 6am Monday 9 September, the motorway will close fully between junction 18 (Simister Island) and 20 (Rochdale) eastbound and junction 20 to 19 (Heywood) westbound.

The closure will allow Network Rail to safely demolish Castleton railway bridge near Rochdale.

Drivers are urged to avoid the area and use an alternative route as significant delays are likely.

For motorists using the M62 over the weekend, check traffic conditions before travelling and allow extra time to complete your journey.

Clearly signed diversions will be in place throughout the weekend. Please do follow these and not your satnav.

Caption: Diversion routes during the M62 full weekend closure

Live traffic information is available at Traffic England or from our 24-7 customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000. Updates will also be shared via our north-west X feed.

A second weekend closure, from 9pm on Friday 20 September to 6am on Monday 23 September, will also be taking place later this month. This will allow Network Rail to install a new bridge over the motorway.

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.
22 August 2024
Motorway to close for two weekends

Drivers are being reminded that a key section of the M62 will be closing for two weekends next month.

Network Rail is replacing Castleton bridge near Rochdale, that takes trains over the motorway. The work involves demolishing the current structure and installing a new bridge.

During this essential work, the M62 eastbound junction 18 to 20 and the M62 westbound junction 20 to 19 will be closed from:
- 9pm Friday 6 to 6am Monday 9 September
- 9pm Friday 20 to 6am Monday 23 September
Caption: Diversion routes during the full weekend closures

Motorists are urged to avoid the area if they can as long delays are expected. Where possible, delay your journey or use an alternative route.

For drivers using the M62 during either weekend, please follow the clearly signed diversion and do not follow your satnav.

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.
02 August 2024
New bridge beams arrive on-site

Two 42-metre, 70 tonne steel beams have arrived on-site as part of Network Rail’s work to replace Castleton railway bridge near Rochdale.

The new beams were delivered ahead of work that will see the first ever weekend closures of the M62 next month.

The beams travelled over 200 miles by land and sea, convoyed safely with a police escort to the M62 site where the bridge will be built ahead of its installation.

Caption: Aerial view of the bridge beams entering the site

Plan before you travel in September

Passengers and motorists are urged to check before they travel next month, with rail and road closures required to replace the bridge.

Network Rail’s work involves two full weekend closures of the motorway.

The M62 eastbound junction 18 to 20 and the M62 westbound junction 20 to 19 will be closed:
- 9pm Friday 6 to 6am Monday 9 September
- 9pm Friday 20 to 6am Monday 23 September
Caption: Diversion routes during full weekend closures

During the first road closure, engineers will dismantle the old bridge. The new bridge will then be installed during the second weekend.

Outside of the full weekend closures, the motorway will be reduced to three lanes in both directions until 18 October.

From Monday 9 September until Friday 20 September, there will be nightly closures of the M62 between junction 19 and 20 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.
19 July 2024
Planned night-time motorway closure

Due to unforeseen circumstances overnight M62 westbound closures didn’t go ahead as planned this week.

Revised closures, part of Network Rail’s preparation work ahead of replacing Castleton bridge, will now take place on:
- Sunday 21 July – M62 westbound junction 20 to 19 closed, 9pm to 6am
- Monday 22 July – M62 westbound junction 20 to 19 lanes one and two (of four) closed, 9pm to 6am
The overnight closures will enable the safe delivery of new bridge beams to the site compound, located between junction 19 and 20 of the motorway.

Work is being carried out at night when traffic volumes are lower to reduce disruption.

Closures scheduled to take place from Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 July have been cancelled.

We’d like to thank drivers for their patience and ask that they follow the clearly signed diversion (below) during Sunday’s night-time westbound carriageway closure.

M62 westbound junction 20 to 19 diversion

M62 weekend closures

Motorists are reminded that in September, Network Rail will be demolishing the current structure and installing a new bridge.

This work will involve two full weekend closures of the motorway. The M62 eastbound junction 18 to 20 and the M62 westbound junction 20 to 19 will be closed on the following:
- 9pm Friday 6 to 6am Monday 9 September
- 9pm Friday 20 to 6am Monday 23 September
In addition, there will be nightly closures of the motorway in both directions between the two weekend closures.

The essential work will ensure safe and reliable journeys for road users and train passengers for years to come.
11 July 2024
Overnight motorway closures

Network Rail is rebuilding a major railway bridge that takes trains over the M62 in Castleton, near Rochdale.

Ahead of replacing the structure later this year, Network Rail has been carrying out prep work, which started in June.

To safely undertake the next phase of work, the westbound carriageway of the M62 between junction 20 and 19 will be closed overnight (9pm to 6am) from Monday 15 to Friday 19 July.

During the nightly closures, drivers should follow the clearly signed diversion.

A 24-hour lane one closure in both directions between junction 19 and 20 of the M62 will also be in place from Sunday 28 July to Friday 18 October.

Additionally, motorists are being reminded that in September, Network Rail will be demolishing the current structure and installing a new bridge.

This work will involve two full weekend closures of the motorway. The M62 eastbound junction 18 to 20 and the M62 westbound junction 20 to 19 will be closed on the following:
- 9pm Friday 6 to 6am Monday 9 September
- 9pm Friday 20 to 6am Monday 23 September
In addition, there will be nightly closures of the motorway in both directions between the two weekend closures.

The essential work will ensure safe and reliable journeys for road users and train passengers for years to come.

The M62 junction 20 to 19 westbound diversion can be viewed below.

See more updates

Project information

The M62 Castleton bridge is a major railway structure that carries trains over the motorway. The bridge is located south of Rochdale between junction 19 to 20 and is a vital passenger and freight link, providing transportation for 6% of the UK’s energy supply.

Network Rail is replacing the existing 42-metre long, 2,000 tonne bridge. The replacement of the structure will ensure an increased lifespan of over 120 years, maintaining safety and journey reliability in the long term.

We’re working with Network Rail to minimise disruption for road users and train passengers during this essential project.

To complete the work, engineers will dismantle the old bridge. The new bridge will then be installed with a significant part of it built off-site, reducing the number of road closures needed.

We know people rely on the M62 for business, leisure and visiting friends and family. The bridge replacement project will ensure road users and train passengers continue to experience safe and reliable journeys for many years to come.

The work will also reduce the number of reactive repairs on the bridge, meaning fewer unplanned road closures and less disruption in the long term.

M62 westbound junction 20 to 19

M62 eastbound junction 19 to 20

M62 full weekend closure diversions