The project involves widening the A465 from Dowlais Top to Hirwaun to 2 lanes in each direction to improve traffic flow and reduce the number of accidents occurring on that stretch.
Sarens is being involved in the road renewal through the erection and positioning of the bridge beam sections near Merthyr Tydfil, part of the project.
The road works project began in early 2021 and is expected to be fully completed by 2025, at a cost of £590 million.
Thanks to the widening of the A465 on the section from Dowlais Top to Hirwaun and its conversion into a dual carriageway, traffic will be reduced and a large number of road accidents will be saved, up to 1000 over the next 60 years according to project estimates. Work has been ongoing since 2021 and is estimated to last until 2025.
Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental solutions, is participating in the road renewal project, specifically on the construction of a bridge near Merthyr Tydfill. At the facility they are using their advanced machinery to lift the bridge beam sections into position. For this project Sarens is employing a staff of around 15 people at the facility carrying out lifting and construction support work since last February, divided between crane drivers, riggers, slingers and elevator supervisors.
For the development of its operations on this site, the Sarens engineering team has selected a series of high load capacity cranes, a total of 6 advanced machines among which the Gottwald AK680 model stands out, a truck-mounted extendible crane that can lift up to 1200 tons and therefore can lift heavier parts from a larger radius. It is one of two cranes of similar capacity currently in use in the UK. Rounding out the crane equipment employed were the Liebherr LG 1550, with a 550 ton load capacity and also lattice boom truck mounted, as well as the Liebherr LTM 1750, LTM 1650, LTM 1500 and LTM 1450. Sarens also employed SPMT (Self Propelled Modular Transport) units to help move the beam sections for the AK680 to perform the installation.
These road works at Heads of the Valleys are the result of an attempt to improve the facilities with the various benefits that the project entails. By converting the A465 on the section between Hirwaun and Dowlais Top for almost 18 km to a dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction, the aim was to make the road safer following a number of accidents in recent years. It will also improve traffic flow and make overtaking safer. On the other hand, this new track width will increase the overall safety of the road, especially at junctions and in areas of poor visibility.
However, the project will not only benefit traffic flow on the road, it will also improve access to key services, jobs and markets, supporting inward investment in areas such as the Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, the largest town and administrative center of the county borough of Blaenau Gwent.
The renovation works alter the flora and fauna of the working area, but the project has ensured a positive impact with a variety of environmental works including the plantation of 1,200 trees to create a new woodland, the creation of new habitats for great crested newts, dormice, lapwings and bats, as well as plantation of devil scabious to encourage the conservation of the butterflies known as marsh fritillaries.
This road project is known as Sections 5 and 6 of the A465 Heads of the Valleys. The resulting new road on completion will be a 70 mph dual carriageway with 6 junctions. The A465 dual carriageway access and exit roads will connect the link roads. Within the project, in addition to the duplication of sections, a new bridge will be constructed near Merthyr Tydfil, as well as the installation of temporary traffic circles at Dowlais to provide space for the construction of 2 overhead bridges. The works will involve the displacement of water, gas, electricity, telecommunications and sewerage services along the route, and therefore the installation of water management measures and the construction of new sewers will be carried out.
Sarens has extensive experience in the UK, they have recently worked at the Hinckley Point C power station using the Big Carl, their most advanced crane. Sarens has also participated in projects such as the one carried out at the Fawler Refinery, where an "out of the box" solution for its customers Fluor and ExxonMobil, a mobile lifting gantry capable of lifting loads of up to 1,250 tons was used.
Sarens has extensive experience in the UK, they have recently worked at the Hinckley Point C power station using the Big Carl, their most advanced crane. Sarens has also participated in projects such as the one carried out at the Fawler Refinery, where an "out of the box" solution for its customers Fluor and ExxonMobil, a mobile lifting gantry capable of lifting loads of up to 1,250 tons was used.
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 65 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 4,543 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/