These amazing drone photos show how workers demolished a 2,000-tonne railway bridge while the M62 motorway was closed over the weekend.
Tens of thousands of drivers were affected when a section of the motorway was closed near Rochdale in Greater Manchester.
The section was closed by National Highways from 9pm on Friday until 4.55am on Monday to allow Network Rail to dismantle and remove the 60-year-old Castleton bridge.
The bridge had carried trains between Manchester and Rochdale over the motorway, including freight services going to and from Drax power station near Selby, North Yorkshire.
The section of the M62 will be closed again for another weekend later this month, from 9pm on Friday 20 September until 6am on Monday 23 September, when a new bridge will be installed.
Network Rail said 120 staff worked to demolish the 42m-long bridge over the weekend, with 11 excavator vehicles used to take down the structure with their 14-tonne hydraulic hammers and jaws.
About 150,000 vehicles use the motorway each day, but it was left deserted over the weekend for the works, which saw a deck installed to protect the road.
Staff then positioned demolition equipment along the bridge and dismantled it beam by beam.
William Brandon, Network Rail project manager, said: “I’d like to thank passengers and drivers for their patience as we rebuild Castleton bridge.
“It is essential that we replace this ageing bridge for the safety of rail and road users, but I am sorry for the significant disruption the work will cause.”
There will be nightly closures of the M62 between junctions 19 and 20 from 9pm to 6am until 20 September to allow engineers to work on the bridge supports.
National Highways said there will also be overnight closures of the M62 between Huddersfield and Brighouse in West Yorkshire over the next fortnight.
Motorway users have been asked to check traffic conditions before setting off while the works are continuing.
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