Ratchaburi elevated highway investment study to begin
The Highways Department will this year consider investment methods for an elevated highway project from Bangkok's Bang Khunthien district to Wang Manao Intersection in Ratchaburi, the department chief said on Thursday.
Department director-general Thanin Somboon said the elevated roadway project would be divided into two phases from Bang Khunthien to Mahachai in the first phase and from Mahachai to Wang Manao Intersection in the second.
He added that the elevated highway would facilitate travel to the southern region.
The route is planned for Rama II Road, with the Wang Manao Intersection as the gateway to the South, linking Phetchaburi and Ratchaburi.
Thanin said the department was in the process of studying investment methods for the project, which could cost about Bt70 billion.
After the study is completed, it will be sent to the state enterprise policy committee and Cabinet for approval by the middle of next year.
Thanin said his department was also considering three other mega-projects, including extending the Don Muang Tollway from Rangsit to Bang Pain with a budget of Bt27 billion.
That project’s investment method is also being studied, which is expected to be completed at the end of the year.
In another project, the department is reviewing the budget for the 109-kilometre Nakhon Pathom-Cha-am motorway as land expropriation costs could rise from Bt18 billion to as much as Bt25 billion.
Thanin said his department might open bidding for the project in February next year.
In the last project, the department is carrying out an environmental impact study for the 62.6km Hat Yai-Sadao motorway project, Thanin said.
