9 million baht Chalong Circle study underway
Phuket Gazette

PHUKET: -- A 9-million baht pre-construction study on how to ease traffic congestion at Chalong Circle is underway, with companies considering seven options including several flyovers in addition to underpasses.

The yearlong study will analyze traffic flow around Chalong Circle and potential effects of an underpass or flyover on the surrounding environment, said Director of the Phuket Highways Office Samak Luedwonghad.

Three companies – NuMAP, Epsilon, and Asia Lab and Consultant – are now working together on the study, he said.

“The information we receive from the data collected will be used to choose the most suitable of the seven proposed routes,” Mr Samak said.

The proposed routes under consideration have changed from the original six underpass options originally slated for the project (story here).

The newly proposed routes are:

1. A one-way underpass northbound from Wiset Road (from Rawai) to Chao Fa West Road.

2. A one-way underpass southbound from Chao Fa East Road to Wiset Road

3. A one-way underpass southbound from Chao Fa East Road to Wiset Road and a one-way underpass northbound from Wiset Road to Chao Fa West Road

4. A one-way flyover southbound from Chao Fa East Road to Wiset Road and a one-way flyover northbound from Wiset Road to Chao Fa West Road

5. A one-way underpass northbound from Wiset Road to Chao Fa East Road and a one-way underpass northbound from Wiset Road to Chao Fa West Road

6. A two-way flyover between Chao Fa West Road and Wiset Road

7. A two-way flyover between Chao Fa East Road and Wiset Road

“The study-project began on August 17. It will be concluded on August 12, 2014,” Mr Samak explained.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/9-million-baht-Chalong-Circle-study-underway-22236.html


-- Phuket Gazette 2013-09-13

9 million for a study ... oh wait, it's taking one year, that explains everything

“The study-project began on August 17. It will be concluded on August 12, 2014,” Mr Samak explained.

9 million for a study ... oh wait, it's taking one year, that explains everything

“The study-project began on August 17. It will be concluded on August 12, 2014,” Mr Samak explained.

It doesn't really need a year but the study has to finish on an auspicious day for the project to be successful. The King's Birthday is December is a bit too soon to spend that budget so they chose the Queen''s Birthday in August instead.

I love how these numbers are pulled out of thin air for a "study". I guess a few officials sit down and assess their debt service for the coming year and add it all up, and voila, 9 million for something that shouldn't cost over 500K. It's really not rocket science to oberseve traffic flow and weigh the options.

I read elsewhere that any resolution is at least five years away ie it will not be revitalised before 2018

At the end of the day, police won't give up their bread and butter by milking people around the circle.

Police have too much to lose if the traffic flows by.

You could probably build a bridge over that cesspool of an intersection for 9 million baht.

If they want to let the traffic flow at Chalong roundabout then stop the police from putting barricades up (NOOO!! don't turn right - go left then do a U turn, that'll speed things up) and teach the locals how to negotiate a roundabout in the correct way!!

It doesn't matter if they get it to flow. It will just bottle neck somewhere else on Choafa.

If they want to let the traffic flow at Chalong roundabout then stop the police from putting barricades up (NOOO!! don't turn right - go left then do a U turn, that'll speed things up) and teach the locals how to negotiate a roundabout in the correct way!!

I understand what you are saying but the bollards do actually work and improve the traffic flow during busy times but sometimes they forget to remove them and they are up all day.

What makes the traffic flow worse is when the police take control and let one lane through at a time.