IF you are travelling between Brynmawr and Gilwern today (MON/TUES), look out for a banner reading ‘This is Civil Engineering.’

The eye-catching sign aims to draw attention to the highly skilled design work carried out to widen the road into a dual carriageway.

Passing through the Clydach Gorge in the Brecon Beacons, the A465 route posed a significant challenge to Costain, the civil engineering company tasked with making the road safer.

In previous years, a central lane in the road confused motorists leading to several head-on collisions.

South Wales Police recorded two fatal, seven serious and 22 minor accidents on the A465 between Glanbaiden and Brynmawr roundabouts between August 2007 and July 2012.

But now the Welsh Government is converting the Heads of the Valleys road to a conventional dual carriageway and hope this will also help forge a stronger economy for the areas as it offers a faster link with the Midlands.

The 8km from Brywnmawr to Gilwern poses “significant engineering and environmental challenges”, a spokesman for the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) said. “The intention is to upgrade the road using standards that are sympathetic to the landscape surrounding it.”

As well as the banner on the road here, signs will be displayed at other places around the country to make people think about the work being done to make these projects possible.

A spokesman added they want to “show policymakers of all parties why they should continue to invest in the country’s infrastructure.”

The “This is Civil Engineering” campaign, launched by Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), tells the public what civil engineering is and also aims to make clear how it will benefit the community.

Bruce Richards, Project Director for Costain, said: ‘This section of the A465 widening programme is extremely technical and environmentally sensitive and certainly falls into the strapline ‘This is Civil Engineering’. We are extremely pleased to be working with the Welsh Government and support this vital ICE campaign. We will be looking for every opportunity to promote the project and the career opportunities that will come from it.’

The initiative forms part of ICE’s wider Commit to Infrastructure General Election campaign, and the leading engineering body is hoping it will serve as a reminder that long term investment in infrastructure improves quality of life for the public, regenerates communities and creates jobs.