In the UK, a road project that has been ongoing for more than two decades will finally be completed in 2025.
The project, aimed at improving a key route in Wales, has faced numerous delays and challenges.
Now, it will offer a better connection to one of the most deprived areas of the country, writes Hotnews.
Some local residents, however, have complained about the inconvenience caused by the long construction period.
The A465 Heads of the Valleys road upgrade has been a work in progress for 23 years. The project started in 2002, but the idea of transforming the road into a motorway-like route was first introduced in the 1990s.
The road stretches almost 45 kilometers, linking the city of Swansea to the Monmouthshire region.
The upgrade, which has cost £2 billion, aims to provide a better transportation option in a region struggling with poverty and economic hardship.
The A465 runs through a mining area and a national park. This made the work particularly difficult as it had to be done without closing the road, which remains an important traffic route.
The project was divided into six sections to manage the complexity of working under ongoing traffic conditions.
The project saw the creation of 70 new structures, including bridges and junctions, along with 14 kilometers of new pedestrian and cycling paths.
The road’s upgrade was seen as essential for improving the prospects of local communities, especially after the closure of mines in the 1980s and 1990s.
Welsh officials hope that in the future, people will look back on this project as a key turning point for the region.
After the upgrade, the A465 will allow drivers to travel at speeds of up to 110 km/h without needing to stop at roundabouts.
This will offer a faster, more efficient route and help reduce congestion on the M4 motorway.
Despite the challenges and frustrations during construction, the completion of the A465 upgrade will provide long-term benefits for the region.
