Construction halted on Rama II Road for new year travel ease
The Transport Ministry has announced the suspension of all construction activities along Rama II Road from December 26 to January 2 next year. This decision aims to ease travel for those heading south during the new year holiday period.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit highlighted that the focus of the suspension is to aid travellers using this major route.
“We also ordered the return of the road surface, as much as possible, to facilitate people using the route. We also want people to study the route before travelling to avoid traffic congestion during the new year festival.”
The decision follows a recent crane collapse on Rama II Road in Samut Sakhon, which resulted in the deaths of six workers and injuries to nine others. This tragic incident occurred around 4am on November 29 at the construction site of the elevated Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo Intercity Motorway 82 (M82) project.
Minister Suriya instructed ministry agencies, including the Department of Highways, the Department of Rural Roads, the Expressway Authority of Thailand, and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance. They are tasked with evaluating construction contractors’ performance and documenting it in a Contractor’s Notebook.
Performance-based deductions will be recorded, with the possibility of removing contractors from the government’s registry if they fail to meet safety standards, said Suriya.
Rama II Road
“In the next two weeks, the regulation of the Contractor’s Notebook will be summarised. We will also discuss it further with the Comptroller General’s Department of the Finance Ministry before enforcement.”
In an update regarding the M82 accident, Apirat Chaiwongnoi, Director General of the Department of Highways, announced the establishment of a fact-finding committee. This committee includes representatives from the Engineering Institute of Thailand and the Council of Engineers. The investigation’s results are expected to be announced by mid-month.
Progress has been made in clearing the site of the accident. The engineering team has safely lifted three concrete bridge segments and plans to dismantle the steel structure. The complete removal of the remaining parts is anticipated by the middle of the month.
In related news, the Ministry of Transport forecasts a significant increase in travel over the new year period. An estimated 17 million private car trips are expected in and out of Bangkok, marking a substantial rise from the previous year, reported Bangkok Post.
Public transportation is also expected to be heavily utilised, with an estimated 17 million trips by bus, train, boat, and plane. Within Bangkok and its surrounding areas, travel is projected to reach 12 million trips. Inter-provincial travel is expected to total 2.3 million trips, while international travel is estimated at 1.8 million trips.
Latest Thailand News
