Digging starts at Chalong Underpass site

PHUKET: Construction workers have started digging drainage ditches on each side of Chao Fa West Road for the Chalong Underpass project, the Phuket Highway Department confirmed yesterday.

Work started on December 17, closing one south-bound lane of Chao Fa West Road.

“It will only take us 15-20 days to put in the drains along a two-kilometer stretch of the road,” said Phuket Highway Department Project Engineer Chalermpol Wongkiattikun. “We will not start digging the actual tunnel itself until next year.”

The digging of the tunnel will commence after drains are in place, street lamps are installed and the road is widened to ease traffic congestion.

— Sukawin Tanthavanich