The Welsh Government has alerted contractors to a forthcoming GBP 130 million (US$ 161.6 million) bridge-replacement deal.

Welsh ministers have issued a prior information notice regarding the A494 River Dee Bridge contract, indicating that the formal procurement process for the project to replace this essential structure is set to begin in May 2025. The A494 serves as a key route, connecting Dolgellau in Snowdonia National Park to the outskirts of Chester in North West England. The bridge spans the River Dee near the Wales-England border and supports a daily traffic flow of nearly 70,000 vehicles. 

The optimal solution involves constructing a new bridge southeast of the existing structure, designed to accommodate traffic in both directions while also providing a dedicated path for cyclists and pedestrians. Additionally, this plan may include enhancements to the A494 which passes beneath the North Wales Coast Railway line, along with the creation of a new highway exit. Submissions from “suitably qualified organizations” are invited before midday on February 21, 2025.