Transport minister Ken Skates has approved the project to build the new Dyfi Bridge on the A487 highway north of Machynlleth.
The scheme is intended to improve road safety, provide opportunities for ‘active’ travel and build resilience against flooding, as well as to improve transport connectivity.
The next stage will include detailed design work and further ground investigations. Construction could begin this summer, subject to the statutory process, with completion by summer 2022.
The current Dyfi Bridge is a 19th century stone narrow bridge with poor visibility and no footways. The River Dyfi frequently floods, severing communities on either side of the bridge. The new scheme includes a viaduct across the floodplain and a river bridge across the Afon Dyfi approximately 480m upstream of the existing bridge.
Skates said: “The A487 is a key route between North and South Wales linking Gwynedd, Powys, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire. It is also an important local route providing access to the amenities and services of Machynlleth. We are already making improvements further north with the Caernarfon and Bontnewydd bypass and it is clear to me that action needs to be taken to improve this section of the A487 so that there is a safe and reliable route linking the communities around Machynlleth, including better and more reliable access to bus and train services in the town.
“The new route is good news for North and Mid Wales and will bring many benefits including enhanced protection against flooding. With climate change increasing the risk of flooding it’s important that we provide protection for homes and businesses and this scheme will contribute to both.”
