Bangkok Traffic Will Hit The Brakes

[george]

ROAD CONSTRUCTION: Traffic will hit the brakes

18 projects starting over the next few months means misery for drivers

Notorious as a city with horrendous traffic, Bangkok is bracing for worse nightmares over the next 12 months when construction of bridges and traffic tunnels begins this month at several intersections around the city.

Kumropluk Suraswadi, director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), said yesterday that the construction's impact on traffic would be inevitable.

He said this year 18 simultaneous public construction projects would affect Bangkok's streets, the highest number the city has endured. Many of the projects, worth a combined Bt5 billion, start later this month.

The previous record of seven simultaneous projects was made over a decade ago when Chamlong Srimuang was Bangkok governor, Kumropluk added.

He said construction of bridges and tunnels needed to be done simultaneously to ease traffic congestion in the city. "If we don't expedite the construction, Bangkok's traffic crisis will get even worse," he said.

At the order of the prime minister, more than 1,000 traffic-police officers will be assigned to direct traffic all over the city during the construction period, which is scheduled to end in August next year, according to Kumropluk.

He said that the OTP would next week hold a meeting with relevant agencies, such as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Metropolitan Police, to discuss measures to ease the impact on motorists and commuters.

To reduce the impact on traffic, contractors will be asked to carry out construction at night, Kumropluk said. He also advised commuters to take mass-transport systems, such as the subway, the skytrain and public buses.

Maj-General Montri Jamroon, the Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner in charge of traffic, said yesterday he expected slower traffic, "twice the current level", during the construction, particularly in the city's inner areas.

"Motorists and commuters will have to prepare for worse traffic for the next year," Montri said.

But he did not think the construction would have much impact on the outer areas, even though certain construction projects would take place in suburban districts like Bang Bon and Bang Khunthien.

Meanwhile Bangkok governor hopefuls yesterday questioned the rationale behind simultaneous construction of bridges and tunnels all over the city.

"If I become Bangkok governor, I shall not approve such projects. They won't solve the traffic problem. Simultaneous construction will only bring about chaos," said Chuwit Kamolvisit.

Karun Chandrangsu, another candidate for the August 29 election, agreed, saying that simultaneous construction reflected poor planning.

"To start construction in many spots at the same time, particularly in city areas, is not the right way to do things. You have to finish these projects one by one," he said.

Aspiring governor Mana Mahasuveerachai said that if he won the election he would not solve the city's traffic woes by investing too much in roads.

"They can't ease the congestion. A better way is to develop an efficient mass-transit system," he said.

--The Nation 2004-08-07

The intersections to face construction snarls

- Starting this month

Rama III and Sathupradit

Rama III and Ratchadaphisek

Rama III and Narathiwatratchanakarin

Rama III and the new Sathupradit and Industrial Ring Road

Rama III and Charoenrat

Bang Khunthien and Rama II

Charoenkrung and Suwinthawong

- Starting next month

Rama IV and Sukhumvit Soi 42

- Starting in December

Sri Ayutthaya and Rama VI

- Starting next year

Suksawad and Rama II

Rama IV and Soi Kasemrat and Sukhumvit Soi 26

Sri Ayutthaya and Phya Thai

Din Daeng and Prachasongkhroa

Rajvithee and Rama VI

Ekachai and Bang Bon and Bang Khunthien

[Up2U]

In my experience, wherever in the world it may be, having police direct traffic snarls it up worse than ever.

Have fun - I shall take taxi's from Bang Phli to On Nut BTS, then skytrain in to the bars.