Bridge over Bangkok’s Chao Phraya river to be officially completed next year

The eight-lane bridge over Bangkok’s Chao Phraya river is expected to be completed next year. The country’s widest river bridge will be completed this month, however, the bridge will need to pass inspections.

According to ASEAN NOW, the Expressway Authority of Thailand says the 2-kilometre-long-cable-stayed bridge is expected to be officially inaugurated early next year. The bridge, which runs parallel to the Rama IX bridge, is part of the Rama III– Dao Khanong – Outer Ring Road Expressway project.

That project aims to extend 18.7 kilometres from the Bang Khunthian interchange along Rama II Road. It will then stretch to the Bang Khlo interchange, connecting the Chalerm Maha Nakhon and Si Rat expressways.

EXAT also added that the strength testing performed with the full model of the bridge showed that it could withstand a typhoon/hurricane/cyclone with winds up to 270 kilometres per hour.

The bridge is expected to alleviate congestion from the Rama IX bridge, which is scheduled to undergo repairs in 2025. The Rama IX bridge will be closed for about a year of maintenance.

The project will also help alleviate traffic in provinces to the south and west of Thailand. Currently, the 35 year old Rama IX bridge sees an average of 104,000 vehicles per day.

Last year, authorities announced that the new bridge would open later in 2022. But, the 6.6 billion baht project is a bit delayed. HM King Vachiralongkorn is expected to officiate at the opening and provide his auspicious name to the bridge, Rama 10.

Meanwhile, Thailand and Japan’s collaborative high-speed rail project, linking Bangkok to Chiang Mai, is expected to begin soon after years of planning. The first phase of the project would see the railway run from Bangkok to Phitsanulok for over 380 kilometres, then continue to Chiang Mai for another 288 kilometres.

Those who support the new project say it is capable of generating benefits for Thailand’s economy and strengthening bilateral ties.