Congestion-busting Newtown Bypass taking shape
It is the multi million pound structure that is going to change the landscape of Mid Wales, and now it is really starting to take shape.
Work began on the Newtown Bypass construction back in 2015, after decades of calls for something to be done to ease traffic congestion in Powys's largest town.
Day by day the bypass gets closer to its completion date, and one of its most impressive structures on the route is the Dolfor Road bridge.
The bridge is an impressive one that spans 94 metres and has been captured in different stages over the last few months by blogger and photographer Clive Potter.
He has been back at the same spot looking over the Dolfor Bridge, and on Monday captured the latest photograph of the impressive works.
Contractors Alun Griffiths have a completion date of Spring 2019, and cabinet secretary for transport, Ken Skates AM said work is gathering pace.
He said: "Construction of the bypass is progressing well and is on schedule to be completed in early 2019. The bridge across the Dolfor Valley was recently built on programme which allows the remaining earthwork operations to take place.
“Work continues at pace on what is a significant development for the area and a great example of the Welsh Government’s commitment to improving our transport infrastructure.”
What the bypass will be called has been a hot topic of discussion on the town recently.
Newtown Town Council last month passed a motion to call on the Welsh Government to name the bypass Ffordd Robert Owen Way, after Robert Owen, one of the town's most famous son's who founded the co-operative movement.
Also, two campaigners who successfully got the bypass diverted around the 500 year old Brimmon Oak Tree believe it could be called the Brimmon Oak Bypass.
The Welsh Government said earlier this week that naming a trunk road isn't something they usually do, but they would be open to discussions.
A host of plans have been discussed about how the make the bypass one that will stand out and be unique.
Calls have been made from chairman of business Cellpath Peter Webber, and Ann Evans, secretary of Newtown Local History Group to erect statutes of 'Powys pioneers' on roundabouts along the route.
Mr Webber has previously said they should include Mr Owen, fashion designer Laura Ashley, the father of mail order sales Sir Pryce Pryce-Jones, and industrialist David Davies Llandinam.
