AN ‘ICONIC’ bridge built as part of the Heads of the Valleys road project is set to open.

The 118-metre span bridge will be open to traffic during the night of Sunday, September 30, providing an improved link to each side of the Clydach Gorge.

The A465 ‘Section 2’ dualling scheme stretches for 8.1km from Brynmawr, in the west, to Gilwern in the east.

Once the Brynmawr junction is complete, the bridge will be an integral part of travel in the Brynmawr area.

When the bridge is open, the Intermediate Road bridge will be closed to traffic with the demolition programmed over the weekend from the evening of Friday, October 5.

The newly built Hafod Footbridge will be opened, in a temporary state, to allow pedestrian access. Work will then continue in the area to complete the construction of a turning head on Intermediate Road.

Bruce Richards, project director for Costain said “The opening of the bridge will help us to press on with the final stages of the construction programme and in particular the removal of Intermediate Road bridge and the construction of a new turning head.

“The bridge is undoubtedly a stunning and iconic feature of the project and its opening represents another key milestone.”