A new U-turn point, in front of Index Living Mall, opens today so people are able to turn earlier, instead of having to turn at the main intersection.
However, people driving in a south direction to Central Festival will still need to U-turn at the main intersection.
Central Festival Phuket Operation Department Manager Preecha Ritthiratree told The Phuket News the pedestrian bridge needs to be removed so construction can continue on the underpass project.
Mr Preecha said a new bridge would be built in the same place within a few months, by contractor Italian-Thai, who is building the underpass.
However it would be a different design and be fully enclosed, he said.
Until the new bridge is built, songtaew (local buses) will transport customers between the two malls.
“We will prepare two buses to depart from the mall every 15 minutes. These will be for customers, but also because our staff usually park their bikes and cars at Central Festival East, and then cross the bridge to work at Central Festival,” Mr Preecha said.
Mr Preecha said he expected a decrease in customers to Central Festival East.
The underpass, designed to improve traffic flow on the island, is expected to be finished on October 5, 2014. Until then however, it is the site of a major traffic congestion headache for the island’s motorists.