Patong-Chalong shortcut bypassed in Phuket road upgrade

PHUKET: The shortcut between Chalong and Patong, directly across the Nakkerd Hills, was omitted from a 93.5-million-baht Department of Rural Roads project to upgrade unsealed roads throughout Phuket.

The Thanon Rai Feun (“Dust-free Roads”) project recently concluded with 12 previously unpaved roads on the island now signed, sealed and delivered, said Department of Rural Roads Phuket Office Director Teeraporn Jirarattanakorn.

However, the plan to upgrade the Chalong-Patong route was scrapped because the project would have taken years to receive approval for its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

“The difficulties [of passing the EIA] combined with our limited budget called for us to cancel [paving] that route,” Mr Teeraporn said.

The initial EIA for that route failed, he added.

The Dust-free Roads project was approved in October last year and construction began in December.

Funding for the project was provided under the Thai Khem Kaeng national economic stimulus plan, which is due to close by September 2012.

The 12 road upgrades were:

• Two sections of road from Tung Ka village to Bo Som village in Mai Khao. First section: 1.425 kilometers (cost 6.64 million baht); Second section: 2.087km (7.91mn baht).

• From Highway 402 to Suan Maphrao Village in Mai Khao: 1km (3mn baht).

• From Na Han Village to Na Nai Village, Thepkrasattri subdistrict: 1km (3.8mn baht).

• From Highway 4025 to Ban Manik Village in Srisoonthon subdistrict: 2.167km (13.01mn baht).

• From Sap Sali Village to Sai Yuan Village in Rawai: 326 meters (2.96mn baht).

• From Patak Soi 24 to Nai Harn Village in Karon: 635m (3.09mn baht).

• Along Bang Yai Canal to Baan Don Village in Thepkrasattri: 1km (5.53mn baht; 3.1mn baht under budget).

• From Naya Soi 3 to Sai Yuan Village in Rawai: 335m (2.66mn baht).

• Soi Na Seua in Wichit: 100m (910,000 baht).

• From Na Neua Village to Duan Ta Taen Village in Pa Klok: 4km (20mn baht).

• Phang Muang Khor Road in Phuket City: 684m (24.01mn baht).