Road warriors: Speeding towards a smooth ride on Rama II Road
Motorists can get in gear for a smoother journey by the end of the year as major construction projects along Rama II Road, aka Highway 35, speed towards completion.
According to the Transport Ministry, the Rama III-Dao Khanong-Western Outer Ring Road expressway is nearly done, with 87% finished so far. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed on Monday that the project is expected to wrap up by November.
Defying delays, officials are fast-tracking progress to ensure the grand unveiling by the end of the year. The elevated Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo Intercity Motorway 82 (M82) is also making impressive headway.
The segment between Bang Khuntian and Ekkachai is a near-finished 98%, and the Ekkachai-Ban Phaeo stretch is already 70% down the line.
Although construction concludes this year, the hunt for a private firm to chip in on the motorway’s systems is still in the works, with completion expected next year. Set your sights on 2027 for the M82’s grand opening.
But wait, there’s more. As construction stirs up dust along Rama II, the government is taking no chances. Suriya revealed plans to combat PM2.5 pollution in the area with high-pressure misting systems deployed when levels hit a worrying 50 microgrammes per cubic metre.
In other news, Pathum Thani is celebrating the completion of Rural Highway 3004’s upgrade. The revamped 10.4-kilometre road, notorious for traffic jams, now boasts two lanes in each direction to ease travel times and cranking up road safety. It’s full steam ahead for Thailand’s transport transformation.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s transport ministry has introduced new speed limits for tollways, aiming to improve traffic flow and enhance safety. The regulation, issued under the Highway Act 1992, applies specifically to concession highways, marking the first time such roads have been subject to speed restrictions.
Under the new rule, different vehicle categories must adhere to strict speed limits:
- Trucks over 2.2 tonnes and buses with more than 15 seats – maximum 80 km/h
- Vehicles towing another vehicle or small four-wheel vehicles – maximum 65 km/h
- School buses and student transport vehicles – maximum 80 km/h
- All other vehicles – maximum 100 km/h
Additionally, any vehicle travelling in the rightmost lane must maintain a minimum speed of 90 km/h, unless traffic conditions, poor visibility, or obstacles prevent them from doing so. Drivers must also obey lower speed limits where indicated by traffic signs.
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