Rhigos Mountain Road Update
Works are racing along at Rhigos Mountain Road with over 1000 tonnes of tarmac laid over the weekend!
The £1.25m Rhigos Mountain Road works are on target to be completed by 14th August despite challenging weather conditions early last week.
This major investment work forms part of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s wider £23m Highways Investment scheme and are being carried out to tackle the damage caused by a number of severe winters. This investment is also allowing drainage works to take place.
The full road closure was put in place due to the size of the Asphalt laying vehicles – which are bigger than a single lane of traffic.
In total approximately 6000 tonnes of tarmac is being laid across around 9km of highway.
Works have been on-going since April under traffic management to carry out preparatory works, including drainage and iron works adjustments, so that the re-surfacing can be carried out during the summer holidays, when traffic flow is less, reducing the disruption to the travelling public as much as possible.
The road closures are on schedule to be lifted around 14th August, with some traffic management remaining in place for a further week to carry out final “snagging” works.
Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, Councillor Andrew Morgan, who is also Cabinet Member for Highways, said:
“We are investing over a million pounds to improve the Rhigos Mountain Road, which is a vital road connecting two of our valleys; Rhondda and Cynon.
“I am pleased to see these works ploughing ahead and they look to be on target for completion as planned on 14th August. This road suffers heavily during the winter months and is in need of resurfacing before we are hit by yet another winter season. Our investment will repair and safeguard the road to help prevent the road deteriorating further over the next few years.
“This scheme is part of the wider RCTinvest programme of works which will see £200m invested across the county borough in areas such as Leisure, Play Areas, Schools, Town and Village Centres
and Recycling Facilities.
“Myself and my Cabinet wholeheartedly support the improvements to our highways and structures continue to be a key priority when it comes to allocating our financial resources and this is why we are investing £23m in them over the next 3 years.
“Our £23m investment in Highways Improvements, Infrastructure, and Strategic Projects is on top of the £53m we have already invested since 2011 meaning that by 2018/19 we will have invested over £76m in these key areas in recent years.
“Whilst this work demonstrates our commitment to maintain and improve the road infrastructure for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors alike, the targeted works at Rhigos Mountain Road are likely to cause disruptions to motorists and I would reassure our residents that every measure has been taken to minimise this where possible. I would like to urge residents to continue to support us whilst these essential works are carried out as it is for their longer term benefit.”
Advanced signage advising drivers to use alternative routes will be in place on all approaches to allow drivers to avoid the area completely during these critical works.
Details of likely disruptions and updates will be posted on the Council’s social media sites where possible and residents are urged to follow/like the Council’s pages for up to date information.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email News@News.Wales
