We are an elderly expat couple who live on Soi Tida, near the Esso Service Station on the bypass road. We retired from Australia and we used to enjoy regular walks to Sam Kong and Tesco Lotus to do our shopping.
However, that was before construction started on the Tesco Lotus underpass.
Due to the construction work, it is no longer possible for us to safely cross the busy and often dangerous bypass road. The problem has even caused us to consider looking for another area to stay.
Are there were any plans to build a pedestrian bridge or standard crossing where the underpass is under construction?
Paula and Bob, Kathu.
The excavation phase of the project is expected to be completed by March 1 next year. After then, pedestrians will be able to cross at the lights as before.
A pedestrian bridge “is out of the question” because provisions were not included in the approved plans. However, a standard cross-walk will be implemented by March.
– Chalermpol Wongkiattikun, Underpass Project Engineer, Department of Highways.
As far as I am aware, there are no plans so far for a pedestrian bridge for people wanting to cross the road to Tesco Lotus.
At this stage, the best – and safest – thing to do is to walk back up to the pedestrian bridge in front of Central Festival Phuket and walk down to Tesco.
– Lt Col Rungrit Rattanapakdee, Inspector of the Phuket Traffic Police,