The council is now launching a \u00a350m contractor engagement process ahead of a full tender next month.<\/p>\n
The 1.2km highway will link the A4059 Aberdare Bypass east of Penywaun to the new Croesbychan roundabout on the A465 Heads of the Valleys road.<\/p>\n
Once built, the route will relieve congestion through Llwydcoed and Penywaun, improve access to the upper Cynon Valley, and support local regeneration plans.<\/p>\n
The Cynon Gateway North project was first developed more than a decade ago but was mothballed four years ago after the Welsh Government imposed a national roads review and spending freeze on new highway schemes.<\/p>\n
The \u00a350m route was one of several halted amid concerns about environmental impact, carbon emissions and alignment with the country\u2019s new transport priorities.<\/p>\n
Recent policy shifts under the Welsh roads review have allowed \u201cregionally important\u201d projects such as Cynon Gateway to proceed \u2014 provided they meet new low-carbon transport criteria.<\/p>\n
An engagement event will be held on 17 October at the Valleys Innovation Centre in Abercynon to brief potential bidders on the project scope, procurement strategy and delivery timetable.<\/p>\n
Contractors must register via eTenderWales<\/a> by 12 noon on 15 October.<\/p>\n The council aims to invite tenders on 3 November, with construction due to start in May 2026 and run for three years.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n