Intersection closed at night

BANGKOK: -- The Phayathai intersection will be off-limits to motorists from 10pm to 5am from Aug 20-28 to ensure safety during the construction of a flyover.

Deputy Bangkok governor Samart Ratchapolsitte said motorists must turn left at the intersection between those hours.

The project contractor, Italian Thai Development Plc, plans to install three flyover beams weighing 40-60 tonnes each.

Additional safety precautions are needed because there is a BTS line near the construction site, said Mr Samart. Certain traffic lanes are currently closed to traffic.

The deputy governor yesterday inspected the flyover construction site and discussed safety precautions with the contractor. He said even though construction work is 16% behind schedule, the flyover will be completed by the deadline.

The four-lane, 572-metre flyover worth 228 million baht is expected to be completed next month.

Vithoon Suksanvanich, of the BMA's Public Works Department, said two more flyover construction projects will begin simultaneously in October.

One will be across the Tuek Chai intersection where Ratchawithi road crosses Rama VI road and the other will be across the Pracha Songkhro intersection.

Mr Vithoon also said that planned closure of traffic lanes will go ahead to enable the construction of the Lat Phrao-Vibhavadi Rangsit flyovers.

--The Post 2005-08-19

Week of woes as Phya Thai flyover nears completion

BANGKOK: -- Construction of the flyover at the Phya Thai intersection is entering a phase that will bring it one step closer to relieving downtown-traffic congestion – but will result in a chaotic week of detours at night, Bangkok deputy governor Samart Ratchapolsitte said yesterday.

From tomorrow until August 28, the intersection will be totally shut from 10pm to 5am for the installation of the flyover’s beams, he said.

City and police officials are now working hard to inform motorists on how they can get to their destinations by taking detours, he added.

Vehicles on the outbound Phya Thai Road heading towards Victory Monument need to turn left and make a U-turn in front of Phya Thai police station on Sri Ayutthaya Road.

Those on the inbound Phya Thai Road heading towards Ratchathewi intersection need to turn left and make a U-turn under Makkasan Bridge.

Motorists on Sri Ayutthaya Road heading towards Rajprarop Road must turn left and make a U-turn at Victory Monument, while those heading for the Sri Ayutthaya intersection must turn left and make a U-turn at Hua Chang Bridge.

--The Nation 2005-08-19

construction work is 16% behind schedule

Now there's a surprise...

Makes this usually horrific junction a lot easier to cross on foot during those hours now though!