Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

The Department of Highways has revealed plans to build a 3.4-kilometre elevated overpass at the Prachuap Khiri Khan junction, set to improve traffic flow across 14 southern provinces. The project, which carries an estimated cost of 900 million baht, is scheduled to begin later this year.

 

On 11 March, Prachuap Khiri Khan Governor Sittichai Sawatsan chaired a meeting to discuss the overpass project, which will be located at the intersection of Highway 4 (Phet Kasem Road) and Highway 326 (Prachuap Khiri Khan Junction). The meeting was attended by representatives from the Department of Highways, local engineers, and over 80 members of the public.

 

The project will involve the construction of a 3.4-kilometre elevated road with six lanes, three for northbound traffic and three for southbound traffic. Each lane will be 3.5 metres wide, and the structure will include an underpass with a clearance of 5.5 metres and a U-turn point beneath the overpass. The starting point of the project will be at the Highway Police Station, and it will end near the Lotus supermarket in Prachuap Khiri Khan, approximately 500 metres from the Koh Lak intersection.

 

According to the Department of Highways, the overpass will address traffic congestion at the Prachuap Khiri Khan junction, a critical route for travellers heading to and from the south. The current traffic volume exceeds 36,000 vehicles daily, with 29,534 vehicles using Phet Kasem Road and 7,184 vehicles on the Nong Suea-Prachuap Khiri Khan route. The junction experiences significant congestion, especially during peak holiday periods, making this project essential for improving both safety and convenience for motorists.

 

During the meeting, concerns were raised about the potential impact on businesses along Phet Kasem Road, particularly regarding reduced sales due to changes in traffic patterns. There were also worries about dust pollution affecting local health and the possible disruption of drainage systems during construction.

In response, civil engineers from the Department of Highways assured that they would consider public feedback in refining the project design and implement measures to minimise negative impacts.

 

Construction is expected to commence between August and September 2025, with a projected completion time of three years. Additionally, the Department of Highways has plans for further improvements along the Phet Kasem Road in the future, including the construction of more overpasses at key junctions such as Koh Lak, Nong Hin, and others, to enhance the efficiency of the region’s transport network.

 

-- 2025-03-12

 

More brown envelopes, more traffic jams and more delays?

Do Thais understand what a bypass is?

Has anyone seen the shoddy work done on the rail overpasses in Prachuap?  

Our proposed local overpass, is greatly needed, as are the others that have been completed or will be shortly.   Creating true interprovincial highway, without the cross traffic & deadly U-turns.

 

Overpasses are the solution to the deadly U-turns y'all cry about.  And the drives North & South of us are much better now.

 

The proposed local intersection is gridlock on weekends & holidays.  And yes, it will be an inconvenience for a year or so, but save lives also.   Is there really a price tag for lives saved.

 

"Highway 4 (Phet Kasem Road) and Highway 326 (Prachuap Khiri Khan Junction) is 2.7 kms from our house.  At peak times, it backs up terribly, that traffic won't make the 1st signal change.

 

I cross every day, on the way to the park (morning walk), to surf or to Makro if taking the car.  MB, no prob, as there is already an underpass for that, though not as convenient now.  Guess we'll be using a bit more when construction starts.   Now that we need to go on that side of the highway more than 2X a month anyway.

 

When you travel to Krung Thep, and feel lucky to average 80 kph, when speed limits range from 90-120 kph, then there's need for improvements.   

 

When highway deaths are some of the highest in the world, yea, no cross traffic & no silly U-turns will make a difference.

 

The highway overpasses are well built.  Can't say the same about some of those RR overpasses 

 

Imagine trying to drive around Krung Thep without any overpass at intersection.  As if it isn't bad enough with them.