Tollway in Phuket gets green light

The cabinet yesterday gave the goahead for the long-delayed KathuPatong beach expressway, the construction of which will start next year.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the expressway will be built under a public-private partnership (PPP) format at an estimated cost of 14.67 billion baht.

The cabinet also approved an allocation of 5.79 billion baht for land expropriation compensation, he said. The 3.98-kilometre road will have two lanes for cars and larger vehicles and another two for motorcycles in each direction and will include a 1.85-km tunnel.

“The Expressway Authority of Thailand is expected to call bids between May and June. Construction will start next year and the road is expected to open in July 2027,” Mr Thanakorn said.

Phuket’s first expressway will serve as a link between the eastern part of the island province and Patong beach and as an evacuation route in case of natural disasters, particularly tsunamis, he said.

The road would start from Phra Mettha Road in tambon Patong in Kathu district and end at tambon Kathu in the same district, he said.

Phuket authorities hope the tollway will ease congestion on Road 4029, reduce accidents and promote tourism on the resort island. Road 4029 goes up a steep mountain, which makes it one of the most accident-prone routes in Phuket.

The government will handle land expropriation arrangements while private investors will be responsible for design, construction work, operations and maintenance.

Private investors will be given a 35-year concession to operate and collect toll fees, Mr Thanakorn said.

“The project will be a boon to local residents’ travel and tourism. It will also help support infrastructure development to turn Phuket into a smart city,” the spokesman said.

The government agreed in principle to build the road in 2015, but the project stalled when the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry did not approve construction in forested areas.

It’s expected 65,000 vehicles will use the expressway daily.