Work has finally started on the long delayed bypass of a historic castle town.
Contractors have moved onto the site of the £135m scheme which will bypass Caernarfon and Bontnewydd.
Fencing the construction work extents and site clearance will take place shortly allowing the main earthworks operations to commence.
The 9.8km road is being built by Ruthin-based Jones Bros in a joint venture with Balfour Beatty.
It will start at the Goat roundabout on the A499/A487 junction at Dinas to the Plas Menai roundabout near Felinheli.
Minister for the Economy and Transport Ken Skates visited the site to officially cut the first sod.
He said the scheme is a significant development for north west Wales which will relieve congestion and improve safety in the area.
Mr Skates said: “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."
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.
Jones Bros contracts director Hefin Lloyd-Davies said: “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."
Arfon AM Sian Gwenllian and MP Hywel Williams have led a campaign for the scheme to be completed to relieve traffic problems in the area.
Ms Gwenllian said: "Our constituents have waited long enough for work to start on this vitally important project, which will provide a significant boost to the local economy in Arfon.
"From the outset, Plaid Cymru has campaigned for this project to get the go ahead and have put significant pressure on the Welsh Labour Government to get the ball rolling and deliver on this scheme."
