Pictures courtesy of สำนักงานประชาสัมพันธ์จังหวัดเพชรบุรี

 

The Cha-am bypass has kicked off a travel transformation with the opening of a new overpass at the Huai Ta Paet intersection. This marks a major leap in the expansion of Highway 37, promising to ease travel between Cha-am and Hua Hin.

 

The overpass caters to both northbound traffic towards Bangkok and southbound flows to Hua Hin and Pranburi.

 

This new intersection is part of a broader 50-kilometer infrastructure expansion by the Department of Highways. The project aims to widen the current road from four to six lanes, featuring six interchanges and 17 U-turns. With a hefty price tag of 7 billion baht, the entire construction is set to conclude in 2026.

 

Once completed, Highway 37 will boast three 3.5-metre-wide lanes on each side. A 10.6-metre median will divide the lanes, flanked by concrete barriers, hard shoulders, and strategically placed U-turns. The enhancements promise better safety and smoother traffic.

 

Starting from the Cha-am interchange on Phetkasem Road, the expansion passes landmarks like Huai Taphat, Silpakorn University, and the Hua Hin District Office before linking back with Phetkasem Road in Pranburi. A 50 million baht budget drove the 2023 construction of the Huai Taphat section, including the new overpass, with a total section cost of 250 million baht.

 

Traffic forecasts predict a surge from 29,000 vehicles daily in 2020 to over 53,000 by 2044. The upgraded highway will be pivotal for locals and tourists alike. The addition of interchanges and U-turn points aims to cut down congestion, particularly during peak travel times.

 

In addition to functionality, the project emphasises aesthetics. Landscaping and decorative concrete plans are under way for junctions and underpasses. The full upgrade between Hua Hin and Springfield Golf Course is on track for completion by late 2026.

 

The overpass opening is a significant milestone in an expansive journey towards enhanced travel efficiency, road safety, and visual appeal in the region.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-04

 

 

Kudos to the roadwork being done on hwy 4 & 37, as the additional overpasses are quite welcomed.  Got a few south of us under construction now, and yea, a bit slow going when passing, but well worth the slight inconvenience when done.  Make our long O&A smoother & faster, with lack of cross traffic.   So much safer for those crossing or making U-turns.  A work in progress.

 

Our main intersection is even due for an overpass, and well be a nice upgrade for the area when done.   Weekends the congestion if brutal.  Crossing now and the wait time was raised recently from ~20 secs to ~45 secs.

 

Regular and long weekends and I'll take the MB, as there is an underpass bypass of the main intersection, which can save some time on certain day.

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The project aims to widen the current road from four to six lanes, featuring six interchanges and 17 U-turns.

It was looking good until the last bit

24 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

It was looking good until the last bit

Depends how they are doing the U-Turns. All the road improvements in my area involve U-turns either under the main highway or, if going through the central reservation, long slip roads to merge back with the traffic on the main highway. 

Having to avoid Rama II Road so as not to have concrete drop on your head does add to the driving time though.