The Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economy and Transport, Ieuan Wyn Jones, has announced that improvements to the A487 at Glandyfi will soon begin.
The Welsh Assembly Government has awarded the £10m contract to improve the A487 at between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth to Carillion Construction Ltd.
The scheme involves improving and widening about 1.3km of the A487 trunk road through the community of Glandyfi. The bends in this section of road are tight, which means drivers cannot see very far ahead, and it is extremely narrow, prohibiting two-way traffic flow.
The Deputy First Minister said:
“There has been much interest in these improvements and I am delighted to announce this much needed scheme to improve road conditions between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth.
“The main aim of this improvement is to allow vehicles to pass freely and reduce delays on this section of road. The accident rate, a result of the narrow width on this section of road is higher than the national rate for this category of road so the improvements are necessary to enhance safety.”
The work involves improving approximately 1.3 kilometres of trunk road to current standards including the provision of pedestrian/cycleway facilities by widening and realigning the existing carriageway; all in the environmentally sensitive area of the Afon Dyfi, adjacent to the Cambrian Coast main railway and Glandyfi Castle.
Two major rock cuttings up to 14 metres in depth and a number of retaining walls are to be constructed all to be clad in stone. As the work is on-line, existing trunk road traffic will be accommodated through the construction site but delays will be minimised.
This section of the A487 Fishguard to Bangor Trunk Road provides an essential north-south highway link on Wales’ western limit. There is no Trunk Road alternative between Aberystwyth and Machynlleth without a fifty-mile detour.
Work is scheduled to begin in next month and due for completion in late 2012.
