A CIVIL engineering firm has officially started construction of a major North Wales highway as part of a 50:50 joint venture.

Ruthin-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK and Balfour Beatty have been appointed to deliver the Caernarfon and Bontnewydd bypass on behalf of the Welsh Government.

And a sod cutting event, held on the Cibyn Industrial Estate, marked the start of work on the £135 million project, which will ease congestion, improve journey times, and support the North West Wales economy.

Minister for economy and transport and minister for North Wales Ken Skates AM was in attendance.

Jones Bros contracts director Hefin Lloyd-Davies said: “We’re pleased to be on site and commencing with work on this exciting project.

“We’re looking forward to delivering benefits to the region both during the scheme with jobs and training, and after it with better transport infrastructure.

“The bypass is our latest joint venture with Balfour Beatty, and it will continue our history of delivering major contracts whilst caring for the communities in which we operate.”

There will be local employment opportunities and placements for trainees, apprentices, and graduates as part of the construction stage as well as a focus on local spend on materials and sub-contracts where possible.

Meet the buyer events will be held in due course to encourage local people and companies to apply for work on the project.

Ken Skates, who is also the Clwyd South AM, said: “I am delighted to mark the beginning of the construction phase on this significant infrastructure scheme in North West Wales.

“The Welsh Government is investing £135 million in the Caernarfon and Bontnewydd bypass which will deliver a real step change in how people travel.

"This means journeys for motorists will be quicker and more reliable and traffic congestion on local routes will reduced leading to improved active travel opportunities on which we are working with Sustrans and Gwynedd Council.

“This scheme can have a real positive impact on the area, both in the construction phase by providing local employment and training opportunities and after completion through improved connectivity for communities and better air quality.

"It will also be vital in delivering better links to tourist destinations.”

Initial works will include erecting fencing and site clearance, allowing the main earthwork operations to commence.

The bypass, which is scheduled for completion in the autumn of 2021, will link the Goat roundabout on the A499/A487 to the Plas Menai roundabout with a 9.8km carriageway.

More than 200 operative and delivery staff are anticipated to be on site during the peak of construction, which includes two viaducts, two multi-span bridges, and three new roundabouts.