Bts S4?

[utalkin2me]

Why does BTS skip S4 on the Silom line. It goes from Chang Nonsi (S3) to Surasak (S5). Sorry of I overlooked an obvious answer to this. Thanks.

[beano2274]

There was a planned station there many years ago, but it was never built "Suska Witthaya".

[utalkin2me]

And they didn't just change the numbers? Odd. I actually thought of that, but the distance in there seems pretty standard, ie short. I wonder if it's just me.

[doctorproc156]

They probably left the numbering like that in case they wanted to add a station in that area in the future. That's the only explanation i can think of

[allane]

At one time, there was a plan to build a branch line from the Sathorn/Narathiwat intersection, going south on Narathiwat, hence the need for an additional station, even though the distance between Chong Nonsi and Surasak stations wouldn't normally justify it. But now with the dedicated bus lane running south from that corner, we may never see the branch BTS line.

[Lakegeneve]

At one time, there was a plan to build a branch line from the Sathorn/Narathiwat intersection, going south on Narathiwat, hence the need for an additional station, even though the distance between Chong Nonsi and Surasak stations wouldn't normally justify it. But now with the dedicated bus lane running south from that corner, we may never see the branch BTS line.

The original extension plan circa 2000 - with all extensions to be done by 2006-08 - was;

1) Saphan Taksin to Bang Wa (hence the reason the viaduct was built between 2001-2005) but which is only opening around now

2) Mo Chit to Saphan Mai (since 2006 various govts have stated that this would start being built the following year but.....), Finally, it seems like it will be tendered mid this year

3) Chong Nonsi to Rama 3 (down Narathiwat and along Rama 3)

However, extension 3 was canned back in 2003. Nearly, 2 years thereafter the BRT project was approved in late 2004 but both construction and opening were delayed for various reasons.

S4 and N6 were both not constructed when the BTS was being built as it was thought there would be insufficient pax demand for a number of years. It was expected that they would be built sometime in the mid 00s once pax numbers built up. There is still an argument for S4 given the number of new offices/condos on Sathon. Especially, if the silly idea to close Saphan Taksin (S6) and build a 800m viaduct to Surasak (S5) does go ahead - I suspect it won't - as Surasak will get quite overcrowded. N6 has more of a chance once a few more condos go up around the area but don't hold your breath.

Out of interest, the new extension currently being built from Bearing to Paknam is only going to have 7 of the 9 stations initially constructed. The two others - Naval Academy (E18) & Sai Luad (E23) will be built at a later date once demand warrants.

[rak sa_ngop]

At one time, there was a plan to build a branch line from the Sathorn/Narathiwat intersection, going south on Narathiwat, hence the need for an additional station, even though the distance between Chong Nonsi and Surasak stations wouldn't normally justify it. But now with the dedicated bus lane running south from that corner, we may never see the branch BTS line.

One thing that has been bugging me is the design of the pedestrian 'bridge' over the Sathorn roads linking BST Chong Nonsi with the Bus line.BRT. Basically why is it so 'thick' i.e. you have to climb steps onto the bridge open area at the top, yet the base of the bridge is about 3 or 4 meters lower, just over the traffic level.

So what is the purpose of the large space between top and base of the bridge? Seems like over-engineering to me.

Any ideas out there?

[dantilley]

There's another gap on the northern section of the Sukhumvit line too, between Ari and Saphan Khwai.