Latest pictures show demolition of bridge during M62 closure

Incredible photos show the near complete demolition of a bridge during ongoing work that has closed parts of the M62 this weekend.

The usually bustling section of the M62 near Rochdale has been closed this weekend for the major demolition work to be carried out. It's the first time in recent memory a section of the motorway has been closed for an entire weekend.

The closure remains in place on the M62 eastbound between J18 - J20 and westbound between J20 - J19. The section of road will reopen at 6am on Monday, September 9 at 6am.

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The work is a key stage in a £22 million project by Network Rail to dismantle the old Castleton bridge and take it away on the M62. A new bridge will then be installed during the a second weekend closure between September 20 and 23.

Work has been centred at a site just beyond Manchester Golf Club in Middleton, next to the motorway. Two 42 metre, 70 tonne steel beams were ferried from Ireland and delivered via the M62 during an overnight closure last month.

The railway will be closed until the early morning of September 25 between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale while the bridge is replaced. Rail replacement buses will be in operation.

The latest pictures of the work were posted this evening on X (formerly Twitter) by National Highways North-West. Uploaded three pictures showing the little that remains of the bridge, the post said: "Good progress is being made on the 'Castleton bridge replacement' works. Weekend closure remains in place until 06:00 Mon 9th #M62 eastbound between J18 - J20 & westbound between J20 - J19. Please allow extra journey time."

Olivia Boland, Network Rail