One of the UK’s largest and most technically challenging road projects is set to be completed on time this summer. Making the A465 between Hirwaun and Dowlais two lanes in each direction has cost £1.4bn. Work has been ongoing since 2021.
The Welsh Government says the works will improve accessibility, reduce journey times, provide extra resilience and reliability, and enhance road safety.
When completed later this summer, it will mean 17.7km of new dual carriageway has been put in place, 6.1km of side roads, more than 14km of active travel routes, 38 new culverts to channel water, 30 new bridges and 28 retaining walls. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter.
The new road will be a 70mph dual carriageway with six junctions.
Wales’ transport minister Ken Skates said: “This project is an incredibly impressive piece of engineering and a fantastic example of how targeted investment in road infrastructure can deliver on many levels, providing jobs for the local community, improving accessibility, supporting education and skills, alongside delivering environmental benefits.
“It’s been a complex project which has not been without its challenges, and I would like to thank everyone who has played their part in helping us to deliver one of the largest road projects in the UK.”
The Welsh Government say the scheme has created more than 2,000 new jobs with over half of those employed living in the local area, employing 158 apprentices with just under half from the valley’s region, helping to support education and skills training.
As well as economic benefits the project has also created a series of environmental benefits, the Welsh Government say. Species such as the great crested newt and marsh fritillary butterfly have been relocated, and new habitats created for bats, dormouse and lapwing More than 55,000 trees have been planted locally, rising to an expected 120,000 by the end of the programme.
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