The MVN2/48A M62 Bridge Replacement was a technically demanding project delivered by Murphy for Network Rail. The existing post-tensioned concrete structure, built in 1969, had reached the end of its service life and required full replacement.

Located between Junctions 19 and 20 of the M62, a key freight route supporting Drax Power Station, the works were critical to national infrastructure.

Appointed as Principal Contractor in September 2023 through Early Contractor Involvement, Murphy undertook demolition of the original structure and installation of a new 42-metre-long, 9-metre-wide steel bridge. With 120,000 vehicles using the motorway daily, the works were delivered under two full motorway closures, the first in the M62’s history.

Murphy fabricated the bridge off-site at its Newbridge facility in Ireland using S355K2W weathering steel for corrosion resistance and long-term durability. A full digital model in Tekla Structures enabled real-time design approvals and efficient procurement. The bridge was constructed 500 metres from its final position and transported using 5-axle bogies.

A bespoke pre-assembly method allowed gradual adjustment during installation, with PTFE-bearing trestles, bolting channels, and jacking points enabling millimetre-accurate positioning via Self-Propelled Modular Transporters. Bearing pockets were cast in-situ using laser survey data to match the trial build.

Sustainability measures included warm mix asphalt, GRP walkways, and reuse of existing pier and abutments, reducing embodied carbon by over 28 tonnes.

All steelwork was fabricated to Execution Class 3, with 1,500 steel plates and 9,750 kg of weld wire used. Delivered safely and on time, the project met all stakeholder expectations.

The MVN2/48A M62 Bridge Replacement project is a standout example of what true collaboration can achieve. From concept to delivery in under 12 months, it brought together engineering ambition, programme constraint, and aligned teamwork.

At preliminary design stage in September 2023, the bridge was fully designed, fabricated, and installed within a year. The 42-metre structure, comprising 70-tonne girders, was fully assembled off-site and installed with millimetre precision over one of the UK’s busiest motorways. With no margin for delay, every decision had to be right first time.

Murphy and Network Rail worked as one integrated team from Early Contractor Involvement, sharing accountability and driving concurrent progress on design, approvals, and fabrication. Murphy’s internal teams operated as a single unit, with fabrication treated as critical path and trial assemblies used to de-risk installation.

Collaboration extended across the supply chain, including National Highways and haulage teams, to safely transport and install the structure using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters. Shared Tekla models enabled real-time design reviews and approvals, ensuring fabrication began with full confidence.

The project was delivered ahead of schedule with no incidents. Reusing the original substructures avoided demolition of over 300 cubic metres of concrete. This project reflects the best of Irish steelwork delivery: technical precision, shared ownership, and results-driven execution.