The Highways Department has repeatedly assured that the underpass would be ready for traffic by April 9, in time for Songkran.
However, after an inspection of the site at the Sam Kong junction yesterday (April 1) – along route 402, the tunnel of which starts at kilometre number 5+045.000, and emerges at km 6+850.000 – land inspector Burana Tapondul and his secretary Rakkecha Chaechai yesterday (April 1) recommended to Phuket Vice Governor Kajornkiet Rakpanitmanee that the opening should be pushed back until the end of April, if not by May.
"The tunnel is fully excavated through both sides now, and the workers are in the process of laying the [road] surface and installing electrical equipment inside the tunnel. It looks like it should be ready for use by the public by the end of April,” Mr Burana told The Phuket News after the inspection.
In addition to inside the tunnel, the land inspector inspected the traffic lighting around the construction site, ensuring that it was sufficient for commuters using the roads near the site at night.
“Safety is our utmost priority. This [delay] is good news for residents who have long been concerned about [the safety of] this project. I would like to thank all sectors involved, the governor, department of Highways, the contractor and all the residents for cooperating with us to solve the problems and thus inrease happiness and quality of life among the people of Phuket,” he concluded