Transport Sino-Thai Signs Deal to Build Motorway Link to U-Tapao

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Company Limited (STECON) has officially signed a contract worth more than 2.65 billion baht to construct a new elevated motorway link to U-Tapao International Airport, with work expected to be completed within three years.

 

The announcement was made by Mr Apirat Chaiwongnoi, Director-General of the Department of Highways (DOH), who stated that the contract forms part of the government’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) infrastructure development programme. The new section of the motorway will connect Motorway Route 7 to U-Tapao, Thailand’s third key international airport, supporting both passenger traffic and cargo transport.

 

The project includes two contracts:

 

1. A consultancy agreement valued at 125.8 million baht with a joint venture comprising Epsilon Co., Ltd., Index International Group PCL, and Decade Consultants Co., Ltd., and

 

2. A construction contract awarded to STECON, valued at 2.65 billion baht.

 

Funding will come from the the national budget and a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

 

The Cabinet approved the project on 14 June 2022, with the aim of constructing a new 4-lane elevated motorway and expanding parts of Highway 3 (Sukhumvit Road) in Rayong Province. Once completed, the new route will shorten travel distance from the existing motorway between Pattaya and Map Ta Phut to U-Tapao Airport from 5 kilometres to just 1.92 kilometres, vastly improving logistics and regional accessibility.

 

Key project features include:

 

• A new 1.92-kilometre elevated section starting at KM 148+328 on Motorway 7 to the junction with Highway 3.

 

• New underpasses, service roads and grade-separated interchanges at key intersections.

 

• Widening of Highway 3 between KM 186+350 and KM 192+000 from four to eight lanes, covering a stretch of 5.65 kilometres.

 

Mr Apirat confirmed that 100% of the required land has already been acquired and construction is scheduled to begin by September 2025. The completion date is set for 2028.

 

“This project is crucial to Thailand’s national infrastructure development,” Mr Apirat stated. “It will significantly enhance connectivity, strengthen logistics capabilities and support economic, social, and tourism growth in the long term.”

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-08-03

 

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

Is this company not a family company of a recent Thai Interior Minister and head of Thai political party?