The underpass fiasco

[LivinginKata]

I think the idea is contra flow depending on the time of day/traffic flow. Expect to see cones down the tunnel, switched as required to allow 2 lanes in one direction.

[LivinginKata]

I think the idea is contra flow depending on the time of day/traffic flow. Expect to see cones down the tunnel, switched as required to allow 2 lanes in one direction.

[The Big Mango]

Happens all over Bangkok , the overhead lights which there are 3 @ central will show the direction of traffic flow and will change periodically throughout the day.

No problems in BKK with the miriad of underpasses that work that way.

[Valentine]

The official opening for the Central tunnel is to be on 6 April.

From recent pictures, I see they have painted lines on the road allowing for three lanes.

I can see a future of scores of mangled right fenders and squashed bike riders.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phukets-first-underpass-set-open-April-6/52622#ad-image-0

It was was always going to be 3 lanes. I was hoping they would see common sense & make it 2.

[madmitch]

Didn't I read the bikes were not allowed to use the underpass or have I imagined this?

I certainly hope they ban salaengs!

[andreandre]

The official opening for the Central tunnel is to be on 6 April.

From recent pictures, I see they have painted lines on the road allowing for three lanes.

I can see a future of scores of mangled right fenders and squashed bike riders.

http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phukets-first-underpass-set-open-April-6/52622#ad-image-0

It was was always going to be 3 lanes. I was hoping they would see common sense & make it 2.

Post #16..http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/688989-the-underpass-fiasco/?p=7166584

[exbikey]

Any chance we can get the drain covers set flush with the rest of the road surface on the south bound slip roads before the project is signed off?

[Valentine]

Any chance we can get the drain covers set flush with the rest of the road surface on the south bound slip roads before the project is signed off?

You mean like the ones on the road behind Big C where most of them are raised above road level & can be quite bone shaking not to mention wear & tear on vehicles.

[hansgruber]

Any chance we can get the drain covers set flush with the rest of the road surface on the south bound slip roads before the project is signed off?

You mean like the ones on the road behind Big C where most of them are raised above road level & can be quite bone shaking not to mention wear & tear on vehicles.

That's to be the worst road on Phuket. Whoever thought it was a good idea to place the grates directly in the the centre of the road was insane. I suspect they wanted to save money by building one set of drains instead of one on each side.

[KarenBravo]

The reason drains end up in the middle of the road, or, a lane, is due to road widening. Most roads on the island started out as single lane. The major roads (bypass excepted), a lane in each direction.

Drainage wasn't moved.

[Valentine]

The other day it looked like they were trying to lift the base of the overhead walkway by the school. Parts of the side just shattered exposing the rebar. Does not instill confidence in the strength of the walkway or that possibly bits of concrete will break off caused by vibrations of vehicles passing by. Also likely they do not have a clue how to sling a load properly.

[billythehat]

The other day it looked like they were trying to lift the base of the overhead walkway by the school. Parts of the side just shattered exposing the rebar. Does not instill confidence in the strength of the walkway or that possibly bits of concrete will break off caused by vibrations of vehicles passing by. Also likely they do not have a clue how to sling a load properly.

“just shattered exposing the rebar” – this is a very serious issue as I would expect to see at least 50mm cover to the rebar (the distance from the edge of the outside face of a rebar to the outside face of the concrete). This would suggest poor fabrication and the concrete mix not being up to specification. The subject of vibration affecting the structure will be minimal as the piers (where maximum shear will occur) are normally designed with movement joints or are supported on bearings. However, I take your concern as should the longitudinal beam(s) fail it won’t matter how the ends are supported...

[Valentine]

The other day it looked like they were trying to lift the base of the overhead walkway by the school. Parts of the side just shattered exposing the rebar. Does not instill confidence in the strength of the walkway or that possibly bits of concrete will break off caused by vibrations of vehicles passing by. Also likely they do not have a clue how to sling a load properly.

“just shattered exposing the rebar” – this is a very serious issue as I would expect to see at least 50mm cover to the rebar (the distance from the edge of the outside face of a rebar to the outside face of the concrete). This would suggest poor fabrication and the concrete mix not being up to specification. The subject of vibration affecting the structure will be minimal as the piers (where maximum shear will occur) are normally designed with movement joints or are supported on bearings. However, I take your concern as should the longitudinal beam(s) fail it won’t matter how the ends are supported...

"normally designed" is the key here. The walkway was up yesterday & you could still see the broken section coming from the north side. It is more like a flange section & likely not critical to the overall structure but still it does not instill confidence.

[exbikey]

No need to worry people. I drove by the underpass this morning, crews are out busily patching things up and generally making things look 'beautiful'. All will be ok.

[Old Croc]

Apparently the underpass was officially opened today.

Anyone used it yet?

How does the 3 lane system work?

[chercheur888]

Apparently the underpass was officially opened today.

Anyone used it yet?

How does the 3 lane system work?

Yes opened "officially" today, but not open for traffic.....yet, maybe next weekend. Seems that they have to check some equipments

[Old Croc]

Apparently the underpass was officially opened today.

Anyone used it yet?

How does the 3 lane system work?

Yes opened "officially" today, but not open for traffic.....yet, maybe next weekend. Seems that they have to check some equipments

Yes, just read that!

Could even be months yet before it can be used! At least the thread is appropriately titled.

Edited April 6, 2015 by Old Croc

[LivinginKata]

Apparently the underpass was officially opened today.

Anyone used it yet?

How does the 3 lane system work?

Yes opened "officially" today, but not open for traffic.....yet, maybe next weekend. Seems that they have to check some equipments:clap2:

Only in Thailand could that make any 'sense' ...

[madmitch]

Pathetic. Six months late and they still can't get it right.

[Valentine]

There will still be a bottleneck next to the hospital as it seems to be taking forever to lay the new drains on both sides of the road.

[stevenl]

Used it twice today.

[Peterocket]

Although I don't think it has ever been a "fiasco" there are a few current issues:

1. People are choosing to u-turn at the entrance to the southbound tunnel instead of using the lights creating a huge tailback.
2. The drain covers as mentioned above have not been set flush.

[KarenBravo]

Can anyone think of any drain cover anywhere that has been set flush to the road surface?

[hansgruber]

Can anyone think of any drain cover anywhere that has been set flush to the road surface?

It doesn't matter if they aren't flush, it's the positioning of them being in the lanes. If they were in the gutters it wouldn't be an issue.

Can't believe the home works side above ground drains are in the outside lane and inches above the surface in some spots.

Unbelievable.

[Shot]

Flush + 2 concrete trucks later = a caved in cover with a stick marking it. If you're lucky.

[LivinginKata]

PW reported that no bikes are allowed to go through the tunnel.

I can understand no bike/trolley/mobile shops in the tunnel as they are far too slow. But bikes ??

[fiddlehead]

Just want to say the tunnel is pretty nice.
Efficient now getting through going straight.
Only problem now that I see is if you do want to turn into town from that intersection, the lights are very long, and must be adjusted to account for the decrease in traffic.

Each way had about 30 seconds of non-activity at the end of each green light cycle.

That's a lot of people waiting for nothing.

There was an accident about 100 meters to the south today and that backed up traffic into the tunnel.
I wouldn't want to be down there on a bike if that was to happen, and be behind one of those black smoke belching buses.

Possibly THAT is the reason for the no-bike rule???

[hansgruber]

People just don't understand that they need to keep left to go to central heading south. Many are going through the tunnel and throwing a dangerous uturn once they exit the tunnel.

Major pile up waiting to happen.

Seriously, some people are just plain stupid.

[Peterocket]

People just don't understand that they need to keep left to go to central heading south. Many are going through the tunnel and throwing a dangerous uturn once they exit the tunnel.

Major pile up waiting to happen.

Seriously, some people are just plain stupid.

They either U-Turn directly before the tunnel or straight after instead of using the lights.

It needs to have a curb along there (or some old scabby tyres as commonly used) to stop U-turns

[LivinginKata]

I see a report in the PW that a coach ran out of diesel inside the tunnel. Road had to be closed by police to rescue passengers and recover the coach. Driver will be charged with reckless driver - of well just another few thousand baht fine.