Picture courtesy of The Phuket News

 

The Heroines Monument underpass project in Thalang, Phuket, initially planned to alleviate traffic congestion, has been cancelled. The decision by the Department of Highways to halt the 2.38-billion baht venture follows significant opposition from local residents worried about exacerbating traffic and flood conditions. Concerns revolved around potential gridlock and flooding heightened by construction activities on the already congested Thepkrasattri Road.

 

The underpass was proposed to ease traffic at the Tha Ruea Intersection, a strategic junction connecting Thepkrasattri Road and Route 4027. Despite preparatory efforts, including relocating utility poles and road widening, the project faced growing local resistance. Mayor Chalermphon Kerdsap highlighted fears that tunneling in a flood-prone area could intensify current issues.

 

With construction plans now "indefinitely postponed," local authorities must reassess strategies for addressing traffic in this crucial area. The Department of Highways and Ministry of Transport may revisit the project, potentially considering design changes or policy adjustments. Mayor Chalermphon has expressed a need for a revised approach, pending guidance from the central government.

 

The original plan involved building a two-kilometer, three-lane underpass beneath the Victory Monument, complete with landscaping and pedestrian walkways. This cancellation leaves the region's traffic challenges unresolved, especially as congestion increases around Phuket International Airport and southern beaches.

 

For now, the Phuket Highway Office will maintain traffic using existing infrastructure. Residents and local officials await further direction from the central government, as the demand for a traffic solution remains critical.

 

Key Takeaways

• The Heroines Monument underpass was cancelled to avoid traffic and flood issues.
• Local opposition stemmed from potential gridlock during construction.
• The project's future remains uncertain as officials await government direction.

 

Related Stories:

Phuket Begins Major Underpass Lighting Upgrade

15-Car Collision in Phuket Underpass Leaves One Injured

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-10-21

 

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Mayor Chalermphon Kerdsap highlighted fears that tunneling in a flood-prone area could intensify current issues.

He does have a valid point

Maybe consider a bypass road.

Trains, planes and automobiles, none of which they appear to understand.

Why not build flyovers instead of underpasses in Phuket?
Less construction time, fewer groundwater problems, and, above all, less expensive.
Fear of ruining a landscape already largely ruined by uncontrolled and unplanned construction?
Or fear of managing less expensive public works...?
In the case of the Heroines, I can also understand the fear of ruining the patriotic significance of the roundabout, but what was there to fear of ruining at the Chalong roundabout, at the end of the bypass road or at the airport junction?

It doesn't matter what they build, the traffic downstream flowing into Phuket town will still back-up all the way back to Thalang. a single underpass will not sort that out.  

9 hours ago, federicoP said:

Why not build flyovers instead of underpasses in Phuket?
Less construction time, fewer groundwater problems, and, above all, less expensive.
Fear of ruining a landscape already largely ruined by uncontrolled and unplanned construction?
Or fear of managing less expensive public works...?
In the case of the Heroines, I can also understand the fear of ruining the patriotic significance of the roundabout, but what was there to fear of ruining at the Chalong roundabout, at the end of the bypass road or at the airport junction?

 

Several years ago (about 14, I think), while working for the Prince of Songkla University-Hat Yai campus. I was “loaned out” to the Phuket provincial governor’s office and the infrastructure development committee for the overpass engineering projects at the Heroins Monument, since the two other completed overpasses (Central Festival and Lotus) had been affected by severe flooding and other issues. This time, they wanted to get it right. 

The bottom line, after a year and a half of a multi-stage process that involved extensive planning, data collecting, construction drafting, engineering, negotiating, all to ensure structural soundness and safety, which included careful coordination among the engineers (both Thai and Western), various contractors, and government agencies, not to mention the finance challenges, all detailed to meet the area’s traffic needs.

 

In the end, all the work was scrubbed. Why ไม่สวย not beautiful. 🙃 🤷‍♂️ 

Incredible. 1 step forward then 2 back.

It's not even close to high season traffic yet and this is backed up for kilometres everyday.

I wouldn't consider fixing the problem optional. It brings phuket to a stadstill every high season

👍Gret news IMO.

Felt