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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 between Dowlais Top and Hirwaun in South Wales, United Kingdom.

To be more specific, 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 project involves the widening of approximately 16 kilometers of existing three-lane carriageway to full dual carriageway standard, with a short off-line section of some 1.5 kilometers 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. This project means that the whole of the A465 is expected to be dualled by 2020.

The total investment is estimated at £300 million (US$428.8 million). The project will be financed using the not-for-profit (NDP) vehicle used in Scotland, which caps the levels of returns for private bodies at the stage of funding agreements.

The A465, a major road in south Wales, is a key transport link in Wales and forms part of the trans-European transport network. It is an important strategic route for the urban area of South Wales, providing routes between key settlements. It connects South and West Wales to the Midlands and beyond, to ports serving Ireland and to other European destinations. 

The Welsh Government, through the finance minister Jane Hutt, had announced that the project would follow the NPD model in May 2015.

While previously acting as Employer’s Agent Jacobs assisted the Welsh Government to develop the procurement mechanism.

Jacobs Buildings & Infrastructure Senior Vice President Bob Duff stated: 

“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 its procurement and delivery of this project.”