A487: new Dyfi Bridge

Why we are doing it

The Pont-ar-Ddyfi bridge was not designed to carry the current volume of traffic. The road is often closed due to frequent flooding causing traffic to take a diversion of up to 30 miles.

We want to:

• make it easier to cross the River Dyfi
• make it easier to access employment opportunities, healthcare and education
• make sure Machynlleth remains a vibrant centre of the community
• preserve historic landmarks and buildings
• make the A487 safer
• help prevent flooding
• make it easier for people to walk and cycle across the bridge.

Current progress

Building work started in spring 2021 and we are currently preparing the area for main building works. These include:

• preparation to build flood bunds to protect the Eco Centre
• preparatory works to build the northern junction
• completing service diversions

Aerial view of the works to build the new Dyfi bridge:

The plan

We will build a new single carriageway road joining the existing A487 south east of Pont-ar-Ddyfi bridge.

The new road will cross the River Dyfi approximately 480m upstream of the existing bridge. This new stretch of road will become the A487, with the existing road north of the bridge becoming the A493.

The A493 and the existing A487 south of the Pont-ar-Ddyfi bridge will no longer be a Welsh Government road and so will be maintained by local authorities once the new road is open to traffic.

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Timetable

Publication of draft orders and environmental statement: autumn 2017
Draft Orders exhibition: autumn 2017
Publication of orders: early 2020
Start date: spring 2021
Road open: summer 2023

Next steps

This summer, we will:

• build flood bunds
• install emergency pumping facilities
• start earthworks for the new bridge deck
• build piles and piers to support a new bridge deck
• build new bridge crossing the Afon Ddyfi
• building new road layouts at both ends of the scheme
• change parts of the existing road so that it joins the local authority’s road network