Jacobs wins A465 contract

Jacobs Engineering Group has been awarded a contract by the Welsh government to provide technical advisory services for the upgrade of sections 5 and 6 of the A465.

The company is providing outline design services and business case, environmental impact assessment, technical and procurement support, and progression of the project through the statutory process.

The scheme comprises on-line (i.e. built over part of the existing road) widening of approximately 16 kilometres of existing three lane carriageway to full dual carriageway standard, with a short off-line section (i.e. built away from the existing road) of some 1.5 kilometres at Hirwaun. It includes grade-separated junctions and major structures such as viaduct crossings of the Taff Fawr and Taff Fechan Valleys, and Nant Hir reservoir.

Jacobs buildings and infrastructure senior vice president Bob Duff said: “This scheme is critical to upgrading the transportation infrastructure in South Wales and facilitating regeneration. It will bring important improvements to the user experience, regional accessibility and mobility, and wider links to the national trunk road network and Europe. We are delighted to be continuing our work with the Welsh Government to support their procurement and delivery of this project.”