UK Network Rail has reopened the Oldham Road railway bridge within Ashton-under-Lyne to provide better railway infrastructure in the north of England.
The move forms a part of the £400m North West Electrification Programme.
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The electrification initiative is being delivered in five phases and will see 352km of track electrified across the north-west of England by the end of December 2016.
It is part of a wider investment in the railway in the north-west of England, which will provide a more reliable, efficient and faster railway with more seats and space for passengers.
The bridge has been rebuilt to create sufficient clearance for overhead power lines, which will power trains from December 2016.
It is one of four bridges that will be renovated as part of the electrification project.
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By GlobalDataNetwork Rail senior sponsor Jon Clee said: "It is a significant achievement to complete a challenging rebuild of this nature ahead of schedule.
"A combination of hard work, careful planning and no additional complications to overcome made it possible and it means less of an impact on local people now the road has reopened early.
"Electrification is an important part of our commitment to provide a better railway as it helps to boost capacity and provide more seats for passengers, while reducing the cost of running the railway."
Image: Oldham Road bridge, Ashton-under-Lyne, reopens three weeks early. Photo: courtesy of Network Rail.
