A major Greater Manchester route will be closed for one year from Monday as a £20m bridge replacement project begins.
The Greek Street road and roundabout in Edgeley, Stockport, will close on 31 March as Network Rail begins demolishing and replacing the 58m-wide (190ft) bridge.
First constructed in 1958, it crosses over the West Coast Mainline which links trains from Stockport to Manchester and is Europe’s busiest mix-used railway.
Network Rail apologised in advance for the disruption but said it was a “key piece of infrastructure” that needed replacing for the safety of both road users and the railway.
William Brandon, project manager for Network Rail, said: “Lots of people are surprised this is a bridge but the whole roundabout sits on a bridge, it has reached the end of its life and it needs to be replaced.”
Demolishing and rebuilding the 67-year-old bridge would be a “complex process”, Network Rail said.
The bridge, made of about 200 concrete beams, will have a new one installed between 2 and 23 August.
Working in conjunction with Stockport Council and Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Network Rail said a number diversionary routes will operate for pedestrians and motorists.
Nearby Stockport County FC are encouraging fans to plan their journeys ahead.
Gavin Bailey, chief operating officer of Stockport County, said: “We are confident the long-term benefits of this project will outweigh the temporary inconvenience, and we look forward to the successful completion of this vital work for the betterment of our town.”
