Improvements to A55 tunnels in Wales

Refurbishment work to improve the A55 tunnels in Wales has been completed by Dawnus.

Ken Skates, the Welsh government’s cabinet secretary for economy and infrastructure, has welcomed the news.

He said: “The refurbishment works to the tunnel approaches form part of our commitment to bringing all three A55 tunnels up to current day standards. Since 2014, when the tunnels were improved to be brought inline with the EU tunnel directive, we’ve invested in new ventilation, LED lighting, up to date mechanical and electrical systems and safety barrier improvements. In addition to this, resurfacing works, improved signing and works to the tunnel infrastructure have all taken place with first class results.”

Lighting improvements between junctions 16 and 17 were carried out by Dawnus as part of the government’s £42 million investment in the safety and resilience of the tunnels and the Cabinet Secretary was keen emphasise that further A55 improvements were a priority for the department.

He added: “The work must not and does not stop there. A similar coordination process will be undertaken for the next phase of works between Abergwyngregyn and Tai ‘r Meibion and Junction 15 and 16, with further improvements to a third crossing over the Menai Strait and the Deeside corridor also under way or in the pipeline.

“I’ve been very vocal about the need for the A55 to deliver for communities and businesses across North Wales and am delighted that these improvements have been completed with minimum disruption. We will now press ahead with further improvements, again overnight wherever possible, with a view to completing work on all three tunnels in 2017.”