Motorway No 81 now operational, offering free passage until next Wednesday

The new segment of Motorway No 81, also known as M81, is now operational and offering free passage to motorists until next Wednesday. This recent development connects Nonthaburi’s Bang Yai district with Kanchanaburi province. The inaugural ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Transport Minister, Surapong Piyachote.

Surapong expressed that this initiative was intended as a New Year present for the public.

He stated…

“The new section would shorten travel time to only 30 minutes compared to about an hour and 10 minutes drive via the normal Highway No 4 and Road 323 from Nakhon Pathom to Kanchanaburi.”

Motorists are reminded not to stop or park on the new motorway route. The transport official also issued a stern warning against driving under the influence and reiterated the speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour. Only four-wheeled vehicles will be allowed to utilise the new motorway.

Surapong anticipates a significant reduction in traffic on the regular road by 20%, which equates to about 9,000 cars a day. He mentioned that the average daily traffic on the road is about 35,000 cars, with a peak volume of 45,000 cars during long holiday periods.

The M81 is 96 kilometres long highway that connects the outer ring road in Bang Yai, Nonthaburi, to Road No 324 in Kanchanaburi.

In addition to this, the Transport Ministry has exempted the toll for motorists utilising 77.4 kilometres long section of Motorway No 6 or M6 connecting Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya to Nakhon Ratchasima. This segment, which is roughly 196 kilometres long, will remain free until the project’s completion slated for June 2025.

This route is expected to stimulate trade and logistics in the northeastern region, reports Bangkok Post.

Simultaneously, the government has also decided to exempt toll charges on Motorway No 7 (Bangkok-Ban Chang) and Motorway 9 on the Bang Pa-in-Bang Phli and Phra Pradaeng-Bang Khae sections.

Other expressways that will not charge tolls until next Wednesday include Burapha Withi, Kanchanapisek, Chaloem Maha Nakhon, Si Rat and Udon Ratthaya expressways.

In related news, M81 Nonthaburi-Kanchanaburi highway testing next year.