**A465 Heads of the Valleys Road Fully Open After £2 Billion Transformation – Wales’ Most Ambitious Transport Upgrade Completed**
Motorists and local communities in South Wales are marking a significant milestone as the A465 Heads of the Valleys road reopens in its entirety, bringing to an end the longest and most expensive road project in the nation’s history. The completion of this transformative upgrade represents the end of 23 years’ effort, investment and disruption, with the upgraded stretch symbolising a new era for travel and economic growth in the region.
Initially launched in 2002, the project set out to convert the decades-old A465 into a dual carriageway, aiming to alleviate chronic congestion and improve travel links across the heads of the valleys corridor. The extensive construction saw the road, linking the M4 near Neath with the A40 at Abergavenny, gradually overhauled section by section over more than two decades.
The finishing touches, which included the removal of the last traffic cones late last month, signal the completion of 28 miles of upgrades and deliver a road fully fit for the needs of modern Wales. With an overall bill reaching £2 billion, the project stands as the country’s single largest investment in road infrastructure to date, reflecting the strategic priority the Welsh Government has placed on improving connectivity within the region.
Welsh Government officials have highlighted the broad benefits stemming from the ambitious scheme. Minister Jane Hutt commented earlier that the development represented not just an upgrade for motorists but also a substantial boost to the UK’s wider transport landscape. The dual carriageway now offers a 17.7km continuous stretch of high-quality road, including 6.1km of newly constructed side roads, over 14km dedicated to active travel (accommodating pedestrians and cyclists), and improved resilience to local flooding thanks to 38 new water culverts.
The construction also saw the addition of 30 bridges, 28 retaining walls and six upgraded junctions, with all works designed to support a 70mph speed limit for smoother and safer journeys. The refurbished route promises improved journey times and increased capacity, with expectations of significant reductions to future delays.
Beyond its physical infrastructure, the A465 project has made notable contributions to the local economy. More than half of the workforce on site were recruited from within the region, and the work created upwards of 2,000 jobs during its lifespan. The initiative was also instrumental in developing skills locally, with 158 apprentices gaining hands-on experience—many hailing directly from the Welsh Valleys, underlining the project’s commitment to community growth as well as connectivity.
As the ribbon is set to be cut on Thursday, 12 June, Transport Minister Ken Skates reflected on the broader impact, noting: “Delivering better transport and fixing our roads is a priority for this government. Marking the completion of this hugely ambitious upgrade underlines what targeted investment can achieve—from job creation to improving accessibility and nurturing education and skills, not to mention the potential environmental gains.” He added a message of gratitude to local residents, acknowledging the inevitable inconveniences caused over years of construction: “I am confident that once people see these benefits, memories of the disruption will soon fade.”
Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford further elaborated, highlighting that the scheme has injected £400 million into the local supply chain and created around 2,200 new employment opportunities. “Beyond transport improvements, we’ve embedded a legacy through training over 200 apprentices and providing STEM activities for local schools, showing that our investments strengthen communities as well as infrastructure.”
As the A465 Heads of the Valleys road reopens in full, attention will turn to the long-term effects on local prosperity and emissions, with the Welsh Government hopeful the new route will catalyse further economic and social renewal. The completion of this landmark scheme undoubtedly marks a key chapter not just for South Wales, but for the national approach to regional investment and development.