Bangkok: Department of Highways - EXAT. Clarifying the construction problems of Rama 2 Road, confident that every project will be completed and ready to start use in 2025, while the Transport Minister responded that before the Songkran festival the contractor must return some areas to be completed. To alleviate traffic problems and will go to the area to build confidence as well Mr. Sarawut Songsiwilai, Director-General of the Department of Highways, revealed that at present, Highway No. 35, Dao Khanong - Wang Manao (Rama 2 Road), has a total of 3 construction projects in progress, including 1) Highway No. 35 elevated construction project. Thonburi-Pak Tho Line The Bang Khun Thian - Ekachai Interchange is responsible for the Highway Department. 2) Special Highway Construction Project No. 82, Bang Khun Thian - Ban Phaeo elevated road. Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo section is responsible by the Highway Department and 3) Rama Expressway Project. 3-Dao Khanong-Western Bangkok Outer Ring Road, responsible by EXAT. All 3 pro jects have continued progress in civil construction. and expects to be able to open for service trials within 2025 For construction that takes a long time Because the traffic network on Highway 35 is important for traveling to the southern region of Thailand. There is a heavy traffic volume of more than 250,000 vehicles/day, making the physical closure of area diversion and traffic management during construction somewhat limited. And it is an entrance-exit intersection with various communities and alleys, resulting in a greater slowdown of vehicles collecting in each area than in areas outside the city limits. For safety and reducing the impact on road users. This allows the contractor to carry out construction work at a progress rate that is significantly slower than in normal areas. In addition, safety measures have been raised to the highest level (Double Safety) in the construction area of every contract. The contractor is required to be able to work only during the night (9:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m.) in orde r to reduce the impact on motorway users. We have also considered adjusting the action plans of each contract contractor to be in line with the covered time frame as they are entitled due to the impact of COVID-19 from these delay factors. The Royal Thai Police has rushed to closely monitor the work of the contractors. Meanwhile, EXAT provided additional information. The agency has continuously supervised and followed up with contractors on every contract. The goal is to expedite construction work to be completed as quickly as possible. Initially, work will be expedited to open the parallel bridge of Rama IX Bridge (Bang Khlo - Suksawat Road Interchange) within July 2024, and construction work will be expedited to provide convenience to motorists on Rama 2 Road. It is expected that construction work will be possible on the main line from the beginning of Rama 2 Road to the Bang Khun Thian Interchange. To connect travel with the elevated road project of The highway can be completed by June 2025. Mr. Suriya J uangroongruangkit Minister of Transport said Regarding the delay in the construction of Rama 2 Road, Rama 2 Road has 10 construction contracts. The construction period starts from 1 February 2022 - January 2025 and the contract has been extended to June 2025. Now there is a delay. approximately 10% more than the contract, with the delay being caused by contractors who are experiencing a lack of financial liquidity from financial institutions not lending money due to the COVID-19 situation. And another reason is that the Highway Department allows it to be done only during the night in some spots. Because if construction is done during the day it will cause traffic jams. As a result, this caused a delay. The Department of Highways has made a pocket book to deduct points from contractors. If the score is deducted to the specified criteria, it will be blacklisted. Not allowed to accept further work So that contractors have more responsibility. In this regard, there is a problem with the construction of Rama 2 R oad, which is under construction all the time until it is called the Seven Eternal Road. In the past, road expansion was an immediate solution. When there is a traffic jam, it will expand along the shoulder of the road. When added, a sky road will be built. Didn't think ahead about traffic jams in the future. The elevated sky road will end at Ban Phaeo. Recently, the Department of Highways was given a study. To extend the route further to Wang Manao Intersection. But it is done at the ground level which makes it cheaper. Meanwhile, the road in Phetchaburi Province, which is a continuous route, has a narrow shoulder. Currently, the Expressway Authority of Thailand has a project to build an expressway from Nakhon Pathom to Cha-am. Therefore, the Department of Highways was ordered to build a road connecting to the roads of the Expressway Authority. At Wang Manao Intersection I believe that if this can be done in the future, the trip to Hua Hin should take no more than 2 hours. The reporter asked about the case of the Prime Minister ordering things to be done before the Songkran festival. Mr. Suriya said that during that time the contractor had to return the area in order. To alleviate traffic problems and he will go to the area to build confidence Source: Thai News Agency