What you need to know about the M62 closure in September
The second M62 closure in the space of two weeks is happening this weekend.
A second closure of the M62 is set to affect tens of thousands of drivers this weekend.
The motorway will be closed in both directions at Rochdale, Greater Manchester, from Friday to Monday.
It came after the section was also shut for a weekend earlier this month, with Network Rail needing the closure to demolish the Castleton rail bridge.
Drone photos taken over that weekend showed the 60-year-old bridge, which carried trains over the M62, being demolished.
It marked the first time in living memory that the vital route - carrying approximately 120,000 vehicles daily - was shut down for such an extended period of planned work.
A new bridge will be installed during this weekend's closure.
It follows similar disruption on the M25 in Surrey in March, where a five-mile stretch was closed for three days.
When are the M62 weekend closures in September?
The closures are on the eastbound carriageway between junctions 18 and 20 and the westbound carriageway between junctions 20 and 19.
The motorway will be closed in both directions from 9pm on Friday 20 September to 6am on Monday 23 September.
M62 closures diversion route – where will drivers be sent?
Different closure and diversion arrangements will be in place for the westbound and eastbound carriageways.
The diversion for eastbound drivers will see drivers from the M60 or M66 follow the M60 from junction 18 (Simister Island) to junction 21; take the A663 northbound to join the A627 at junction 1; and take the A627 north, rejoining the M62 at junction 20.
Drivers diverted off the westbound M62 at junction 20 will be sent back onto the motorway via Middleton, using the southbound A627, southbound A664 Rochdale Road and northbound A6046 Hollin Lane, re-joining the M62 at junction 19.
What's the advice for drivers?
National Highways said: "We’re strongly advising road users to avoid the area if they can by using alternative routes. If you are unable to re-route, please check traffic conditions and allow additional time to complete your journey."
National Highways has set up a webpage to keep commuters, businesses and other M62 users up to date with progress and planned closures related to the Network Rail project including diversion information.
In addition, the bridge replacement has meant the railway has been closed between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale until Wednesday morning.
Rail replacement buses are in operation, with passengers advised to check their travel in advance as journey times will be significantly longer than usual.
