During a meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday (July 2), the Phuket Highways Office described the plan to build the project in the area, and planning is now underway.
The six proposed routes for the new underpass or overpass are as follows:
- A two way underpass/overpass between Chao Fah East and Wiset Rd (to Rawai);
- A two way underpass/overpass between Chao Fah East and Pa-tak Rd (to Karon/Kata);
- A two-way between Chao Fah West Rd and Wiset Rd (to Rawai);
- A one-way southbound from Chao Fah East Rd to Wiset Rd, and a one-way northbound from Wiset Rd to Chao Fah West Rd;
- A one-way southbound from Chao Fah East Rd to Wiset Rd, and a one-way southbound from Chao Fah West Rd to Wiset Rd.
- A one-way southbound from Chao Fah East Rd to Patak Rd (to Karon/Kata).
The Phuket Highways Office Director, Samak Luedwonghad, told The Phuket News that design drawings were being carried out by consultants and architects at the moment, and were due to be completed by June 2014.
The whole design project will cost the Highways Department an estimated B9 million, but was required to ease traffic congestion around the Chalong circle, specially at peak traffic times.
Mr Samak told those at the meeting that Phuket was a tourist island, so required a modern designed underpass or overpass.
“We need to work hard to find the right design for this project,” he said.
“We have to carefully calculate the right size and shape because Phuket is very small.
The effects on the environment and landscape also needs to be a primary concern too.”