Bangkok: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, addressed public concerns regarding the proposed solutions for accidents caused by the construction of the M82 Motorway Section 7 on Rama 2 Road, particularly the issue of "100% closure of the construction area." Mr. Pipat clarified that the term "100% area closure" refers to the temporary closure of high-risk sections of the road for urgent repairs, rather than a complete shutdown of Rama 2 Road. He emphasized the importance of public safety and denied any favoritism towards contractors.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pipat assured the public that the government does not protect negligent contractors. He stated that legal actions, including potential blacklisting, are being pursued against those responsible for the construction mishaps. The focus is on ensuring public safety by temporarily closing sections where construction poses risks, such as lifting materials over roadways or addressing severe structural damage. The Department of Highways has been tasked with preparing a detailed traffic plan to manage vehicle flow during the M82 structure repairs.
Mr. Piyapong Chiwatnakulpaishal, Director-General of the Department of Highways, provided an update on the demolition work on the damaged bridge section. This involves removing the wreckage of the LG crane and pouring concrete to connect the cantilever bridge closure across the Tha Chin River. The affected section, between km 29+100 and km 32+100, will see all main lanes closed temporarily for safety, while parallel lanes will remain open to facilitate traffic.
The Department of Highways has devised a "Traffic Management and Impact Assessment Plan" to help the public plan their travel. Normal road conditions consist of three main lanes and two parallel lanes per direction. During repairs, the main lanes will be closed, but the parallel lanes will remain open, providing two lanes per direction. Additional traffic management measures include improving connecting roads and adjusting entry and exit points to alleviate congestion.
The impact assessment indicates a reduction in vehicle capacity by approximately 60%, with potential peak-hour queue lengths reaching 4 kilometers. The Department of Highways plans to manage traffic flow by deploying police officers and volunteers at detour points around the clock. The sequence of lane closures will be optimized to allow some main lanes to remain open, and reversible lanes may be used to minimize the impact.
Mr. Piyapong also mentioned that the engineering team is working to expedite the removal of the damaged bridge deck and the completion of the cantilever bridge to ensure structural integrity. The project is expected to conclude by March 27, 2026. The Department of Highways has enhanced safety measures, with costs to be borne by the contractor, ITD. The public is urged to plan their journeys in advance or use alternative routes as advised through media channels.