The project, costing about B600million, took little over two years to complete, during which motorists endured major tailbacks at the busy junction. The tailbacks were often so bad that drivers took to backstreets, cutely dubbed “alternative routes” by the Highways Department, in order to avoid the traffic jams.
Other underpasses under construction in Phuket include the incredibly late Sam Kong Underpass (B834 million) near Tesco Lotus, just a few hundred metres from the Darasamut Underpass and where the major traffic jams now form each day.
Work on the Bang Khu Underpass (about B600 million) at the northern end of the bypass road is underway, and construction of the Chalong Underpass (about B550 million) may – or may not – begin before year’s end.
But will all these underpasses and their B2.58-billion mega-price tag have the espoused effect of delivering long-term relief to Phuket’s traffic woes?
To this, The Phuket News in its latest poll takes Phuket’s first and so far only underpass as a test case and asks you the reader: “Do you think that the completion of the Darasamut Underpass has been effective in reducing traffic congestion along the bypass road (Chalermpraket Ror IX Rd)?”
Responses available are:
- Yes, it has greatly improved.
- Yes, it has improved but congestion now builds up in other areas close to the junction.
- No, it has made no difference at all.
- I avoid that area at all costs.
To cast your vote, click here.
The poll will run online until December 1.