Heavy rains increase damage to closed road
PHUKET: A road in Koh Kaew has been closed for safety reasons due to its poor quality of construction and the island’s recent heavy rains.
Soi Koh Kaew 33, a main route from Thepkrasattri Road past the Phuket Gazette offices to the British International School, is now closed to all traffic after local officials deemed it too dangerous to use. Those wishing to access the school or Gazette Square must now take alternative routes.
“This road has been in bad condition for a long time. However, the recent rains have made the situation worse,” says Khuakiet Chitkhua, president of Koh Kaew Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor).
Access to Soi Koh Kaew 33 from Thepkrasattri Road, alongside the big Isuzu showroom complex, was first reduced to one lane last month, following years of poor maintenance, ever-deepening potholes and partial collapses, while reconstruction of a roadside retaining wall finally got underway (story here). Construction was to be completed within 60 days.
“At this stage, we cannot promise that two months will be enough, due to the current weather,” Mr Khuakiet said.
“During re-construction, the road will be closed for safety. I do not want to see any accidents. Signs, barriers and lights have been put in place to block motorists from using the [now completely destroyed] section of road,” he added.
— Chutharat Plerin
