Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. announced it was awarded a contract by the Welsh Government to provide technical advisory services for the upgrade of Sections 5 and 6 of the A465 between Dowlais Top and Hirwaun in South Wales, United Kingdom. Jacobs is providing outline design services and business case, environmental impact assessment, technical and procurement support, and progression of the project through the statutory process. The A465 is a key transport link in Wales and forms part of the trans-European transport network.

It is an important strategic route for the urban area of South Wales, providing routes between key settlements. It connects South and West Wales to the Midlands and beyond, to ports serving Ireland and to other European destinations. The scheme comprises on-line widening of approximately 16 kilometers of existing three-lane carriageway to full dual carriageway standard, with a short off-line section of some 1.5 kilometers at Hirwaun.

It includes grade-separated junctions and major structures such as viaduct crossings of the Taff Fawr and Taff Fechan Valleys, and Nant Hir reservoir.