The Welsh Government has invited tenders for a contractor to design and build the A483-A489 Newtown Bypass.

The early contractor involvement deal involves developing the design of the preferred route alignment by undertaking various surveys and preliminary designs, including an Environmental Impact Assessment.

The contractor will also take the project through the statutory process before developing the detailed design and construction of the 5.6km bypass.

The government is conducting the procurement through the etenderwales portal.

In October, the government chose a route for the bypass which included commencing construction from the Orange Option, a southern bypass of the town south of the Mochdre Industrial Estate and passing beneath the main Cambrian railway line east of Dyffryn Industrial Estate.

Work is expected to start on the road in 2014.

The project is estimated to be worth £55m and will improve travel time of Newtown which is located on the north to south and east to west corridors of the A483 and A489.