Work on the £57 million Eastern Bay Link Road in Cardiff is now underway.
Welsh Transport Minister Edwina Hart was set to officially launch the start of building work on the construction site today [Thursday 17 March].
Once complete the new dual carriageway will provide a more direct route between the east of the city (Roverway) and Cardiff Bay (A4232 Butetown Tunnel), with the added benefit of alleviating congestion around Tyndall Street by removing traffic which currently uses the Ocean Way to Central Link via Tyndall Street route.
Preparatory work to build the new Eastern Bay Link Road is already underway and it is anticipated the new road will be completed by spring 2017.
Speaking ahead of the visit, the Minister said: “Improving infrastructure and transport links, reducing journey times and supporting jobs growth across Wales has been a long term commitment for this government and this major project announcement is another example of how we are delivering on those promises.
“In addition to creating jobs and apprenticeship opportunities during the construction stages of the project, once open the Eastern Bay Link Road will provide wider economic growth opportunities by improving access to the Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone and enhance connectivity across the wider city region.
“Commuters traveling between the east of Cardiff and the Bay will also benefit from reduced journey times and a shorter route, while residents in the area of Tyndall Street should see reduced traffic and disruption in their neighbourhood.”
The new dual carriageway, which is being delivered by Dawnus Ferrovial Agroman Joint Venture, will also incorporate a footway and cycle route along its length to encourage more walking and cycling opportunities.
Around 100 new jobs and 10 apprenticeship opportunities are expected to be created during the construction stages of the project.
The 1km (0.62mile) route will reduce journey time from the east of the city into Cardiff Bay, by redirecting motorists from the existing route along Ocean Way to Central Link via Tyndall Street route.
