United Kingdom – M62 motorway, Rochdale to be closed while new bridge is lifted into position.

The M62 motorway at Rochdale will be closed overnight over two weekends while a new bridge is installed as part of junction improvements for the Kingsway Business Park.

The new Dig Gate Lane farm bridge will replace the existing bridge as part of the GBP5 million remodelling of Junction 21 to improve access for the new development under construction. Work started in October 2005 and since then the new bridge supports have been built.

The motorway will be closed eastbound overnight on Saturday May 6th 2006 from 20:00 BST until 08:00 BST while the first section of the bridge deck is lifted into place by a 100 tonne crane.

The following weekend, Friday May 12th and Saturday May 13th 2006, further closures are planned for the westbound motorway when the remaining sections of the bridge deck are craned into position. On Friday evening the motorway will be closed from 21:00 BST until 08:00 BST and on Saturday evening from 20:00 BST until 08:00 BST.

A clearly signed diversion will operate via M62 Junction 20, the A627M, Kingsway, Elizabeth Way and M62 Junction 21 for both closures.

Highways Agency project manager Paul Elliott said: "The motorway closures have been carefully planned and are being carried out overnight and at the weekend to keep delays to a minimum for road users.

"Motorists are however asked to allow extra time for their journey and take extra care while driving through the road works and the diversion, adhering to the speed limits for their own safety and the safety of road workers."

The exit slip roads from Junction 21 have also been reduced to a single lane with a mandatory 30mph speed limit to create a safe area for work to be carried out.

The improvements include the construction of a new dual carriageway and two roundabouts between the eastbound exit slip road and the existing A640 (Elizabethan Way) roundabout, modifications to the existing eastbound exit slip road and improvements to the westbound slip road.

As part of the scheme, the subway from the south side of the M62 to Moor Bank Lane will be closed, and the footpath diverted westward towards Dig Gate Lane.