The projects are the Bang Koo intersection and Chalong Circle underpasses (B600 million and B570 million respectively), two flyovers (total B200 million) and repairs and improvements to the government marina and the seawall at Chalong (B2170 million).
After visiting the Samkong underpass, Gen Arkom also went to take a look at the Marine Department marina in Chalong Bay.
Gen Arkom said, “We are visiting Phuket today to follow up on progress of the tunnel construction which will be completed by the end of the year.
“The Darasamuth [Central Festival] underpass has been open to traffic for a month now and we have had reports of some minor accident especially involving motorcycles and saleng [bikes with sidercars] in the tunnel.
The Highways Department has set new road rules prohibiting motorcycles and saleng from using the underpasses.” (See also here.)
As for the other two underpasses, work on which has yet to be started, Gen Arkom said, “We are ready to announce the terms of reference for these projects and put them out to tender by the end of this June.
“We have also allocated B200M to built a U-turn flyover at Koh Kaew and another flyover near the turnoff to Phuket International Airport in order to reduce traffic congestion on Thepkassatri Rd.”
“Once all four underpasses are complete, traffic will flow much better.
“As for the marina in Ao Chalong, the project began in 2014 with B200 million to built a yacht pier and seawall and we wanted to expand the area into an international hub for yachts and superyachts.
“The facility will be able to receive 40-50 yachts and at least five superyachts. Work on the project stopped in 2012 because of storms and waves that damaged the early construction.
“In 2014,The Marine Office set aside B98 million to renovate the area and reconstruct the seawall.
“The project is scheduled to finish this November.”
The general also visited the Deep Sea Port in Ao Makham, which is also to be expanded to allow more vessels to come alongside the quay.
Meanwhile, drivers have been warned to be careful around the Samkong underpass on the bypass road this month because excavation of the channel through which the underpass will be built is about the begin, resulting in large numbers of trucks taking dirt away from the site.
Project Engineer Chalermpol Wongkiattikun from the Department of Highways told The Phuket News today, “This work will start in the middle of May.”
First, he said, pumps must be brought in to deal with ground water that builds up in the excavation area.
He added that the expected date of completion of the underpass will be March next year. After the main construction is completed, a crosswalk will be erected and footpaths laid.
“I hope drivers will be careful and watch out for big soil trucks,” he added.
- Additional reporting by Tanyaluk Sakoot