Governor paves way for congestion free Phuket

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut led a survey yesterday of two road projects that should ease traffic congestion on the island.

“With more than 50,000 vehicles travelling between Chalong Circle and Bang Khu Intersection in Kho Kaew daily, it is important to provide alternative routes and improve traffic flow,” Governor Maitri said.

One of the projects examined was a two-lane detour that will allow travellers between Patong and Chalong to bypass the Darasmuth Intersection in front of Central Festival. The 1.25 kilometer road will run from Vichit Songkram Road near the Soi Bang Yai turnoff to Big C to about 300 meters south of the Darasmuth Intersection off Chao Fa West Road near Soi Na Sua (story here).

The road is on schedule to be finished by February 27, but will not be open to the public until April, Gov Maitiri confirmed to the Phuket Gazette.

The 9.8 million baht project started in October last year.

The governor also visited the construction site of the Klong Koh Pee flyover project, which will traverse 700 meters of protected mangrove forest (story here).

The 170-million-baht project is set to be completed in August 2015. It will provide a direct route between Sakdidet Road Soi 7 and Saphan Hin.

Additionally, Gov Maitri examined the location of a proposed 80-meter flyover that would connect Chao Fa West Road near the Choor Su Gong Naka Shrine to Muang Chaofa Road.

Though 10 million baht out of a 70-million-baht budget for general development and infrastructure in the province has been set aside for the flyover, Gov Maitri has yet to approve it.

— Saran Mitrarat