Transport Minister demands underpass tunnel completion within two months

PHUKET: The Transport Minister of Thailand has given the construction company in charge of the Samkong Underpass until April 10 to complete the project.

Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith stopped by the site yesterday to check on progress and speak with representatives of the construction company, Wiwat Construction Co Ltd.

“Engineers from the Department of Highways and the Engineering Institute of Thailand have checked the walls thoroughly to make sure that they are secure, especially where the road cracked (story here),” said Minister Arkhom.

“The construction company promised to abide by the deadline and said that they will ensure that the water drainage system is in line with standards set by the Department of Highways in order to prevent flooding,” he said.

Highlighting other infrastructure improvements on the island, Minister Arkhom told the Phuket Gazette that it would be decided within the next three months which contractor would oversee construction of Phuket’s new light-rail system.

“There are some foreign investors interested, but we are also considering domestic candidates, such as the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand,” said Minister Arkhom.

“Investors in the light-rail project could be either government or private enterprises. I hope to see the project started as soon as possible.”

— Kritsada Mueanhawong