A new £50m bypass project has been approved for North Wales in the hope it will reduce congestion and improve transport times for trucks.

The Porthmadog bypass will require the construction of a new section of the A487 around the towns of Porthmadog, Tremadog and Minffordd, Gwynedd.

The road A487 is a vital route for travelling between North and South Wales – it also connects the towns and villages in the area.

Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport in Wales Ieuan Wyn Jones said that the A487 will become very congested, especially during the summer months, when congestion is higher.

The construction work is expected to begin in early 2010.