Govt pushes megaprojects to ease traffic

The Transport Ministry has decided to push ahead with megaprojects in the next fiscal year with the aim of easing traffic congestion and improving road connectivity between Bangkok and its surrounding provinces.

The plan, worth 260 billion baht in total, was outlined by Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, who said the projects will see some 204 kilometres of new roads and lanes constructed to ease traffic flow to and from the capital.

The projects include the 16.4-km Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo motorway worth 19.7 billion baht in Samut Sakhon; the 18km Rangsit-Bang Pa-in motorway worth 28.13 million baht; and the 18.5km Srinagarindra-Suvarnabhumi airport motorway worth 35.68 million baht.

The N1 and N2 sections of the northern expressway project are also included in the plan, along with the extension of the Chalong Rat expressway, which will connect Chatuchote with the Third Ring Road.

Most of the projects will be managed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with construction set to take place between next year and 2027.

Mr Saksayam also said the ministry will finish the projects it initiated at the start of this year, which include the raising of speed limits on highways to 120km per hour, the digitalisation of toll gate payments and the removal of toll gate barriers.