The £90m investment was the largest single highways project undertaken by any local authority in the UK.

Following the opening ceremony motorists and residents will benefit from a new road that will ease congestion, reduce delays and connect the East and West of Taff Ely, improving the traffic infrastructure of the county borough overall.

Delivered by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and its construction partner Costain, with Welsh Assembly Government funding, the scheme has also seen the creation of jobs, the education and training of workforces of the future and a concerted effort to engage the community young and old in its progress.

The opening ceremony will be conducted by Carwyn Jones AM and Cllr Russell Roberts, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.

Cabinet Member for Transport, Customer Care and Emergency Planning Cllr Andrew Morgan, MP Owen Smith and Assembly Member Jane Davidson will also speak at the official opening.

Cllr Andrew Morgan said: “This is a major project which will bring much relief to the local communities, provide a safer environment for those who will continue to use the current A473 and help to sustain economic development in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to our contractor Costain for delivering the project ahead of time and with minimum disruption, notwithstanding the complexities of the project and some adverse weather condition during the construction period.”

Dan Powrie, Project Manager for Costain said, ‘It has been a complex and challenging project but there has been a great deal of cohesion and drive within the partnership team.

"There has been considerable determination to deliver a high quality highway scheme on time and with a minimal level of disruption to local residents and road users. I am sure the public are looking forward to reaping the benefits of the road and I would like to extend my thanks to them for their tolerance and understanding during the construction phases.’

Church Village Bypass is the culmination of a successful campaign over many years and is seen as a major step forward in linking the A4119 at Talbot Green with Pontypridd the A470.

Stretching 7km, the bypass is a partnership project between Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and construction company Costain, with funding obtained from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Transport Grant Scheme.

A bypass for the villages of Llantwit Fardre, Church Village and Tonteg was identified over 20 years ago to alleviate the congestion along the A473.

In 2006 planning permission was granted and in 2007 the Compulsory Purchase Order confirmed for the construction of the Bypass. Following a tender process Costain was appointed as contractor for the Church Village Bypass and in March 2008 the Welsh Assembly Government confirmed the funding for the scheme.

Particular attention has been paid to reducing the visual impact of the Bypass through the use of bunding and extensive planting of around 117,000 trees. This will reduce the effects of traffic noise on the community that will be further supplemented by selective use of noise barriers.

The project includes four roundabouts, two road bridges, three foot bridges and a new community route stretching the entire length of the road.