Carillion Plc has been awarded the contract to design and build the dualling of the A465 between Brynmawr and Tredegar. Design and environmental support will be provided by Arup and TACP.
This will be the first government contract that sets targets for the contractors to use labour from the Heads of the Valleys region via the JobMatch scheme. JobMatch, part of the larger Heads of the Valley project, aims to move 10,000 people into employment over the next five years.
Mr Jones said: “The A465 is a crucial part of our transport network and the principal road link between West Wales and the Midlands. As a Minister I have made it absolutely clear that investment in this key road is a central part of our transport plans. We are determined to finish the work of dualling the A465 by 2020 as planned, which will contribute to the wider regeneration of the Heads of the Valleys and help improve safety and to shorten travel times. This agreement also sets targets for the contractors to employ and train people from the Heads of the Valleys region by using the JobMatch project. This is part of our work to get the long-term unemployed back into the workplace.”
The length between Brynmawr and Tredegar is known as Section 3 and forms part of the overall A465 Heads of the Valleys Dualling programme. The project has been split into 6 sections, two of which have already been constructed.
Section 3 runs for a length of 7.2km. It includes some substantial structures, including a multi-span viaduct near Carno reservoir.
Construction is expected to start in the autumn of 2012, with anticipated completion within two and a half years.
