Anybody know anything about a bridge being built in the Mae Kuang dam area? A lot of traffic today heading for the dam, and the restaurant we ate at mentioned the opening of a new bridge. A Google search drew a blank. Looking at a Google Map, it looks like any feasible bridge would involve connecting with Route 4031, which now ends at a "motorcycle ferry."

 

Anybody have any data on this? Motorcycles only? Now fully opened? And what road does it connect to on the south of the dam?

Construction is visible on googlemaps.  NE corner of reservoir.  Dirt road from east side of dams to motorbike bridge, dirt road other side linking through to 4031.  From the pics I've seen, not for cars.

There is a major project underway connecting Mae Kuang Dam to Mae Ngat Dam by a 4.5 meter diameter and 10.5 km long irrigation tunnel to transfer water between the two.  A hugely expensive 5 year plus project.  I am surprised we haven't heard more about it.   The bridge, I believe, is probably to allow workers and staff from Mae Kuang to the worksite.  I just learned of the project and bridge a few days ago. There were a lot of people there over the weekend having a look at the bridge.  If they become too intrusive it wouldn't surprise me if the bridge is soon closed to non employees.
I can't take credit for the research below, as a friend and I were discussing it and he found the links. 

 

http://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/news/5-year-project-to-bring-more-water-to-chiang-mai-through-new-water-tunnels/

 

https://www.tunneltalk.com/TBM-Recorder-21Jul2016-Seli-Sany-double-shield-TBM-for-Thailand-water-conveyance-tunnel.php

 

I use to cycle to Mae Kung Dam and take the boat taxi across the reservoir and ride back home via 1001, a 100 km loop,  but now the new bridge will eliminate the portaging. 

 

Went to check out the bridge progress 5 weeks ago and I walked my bike across.

I'm claiming myself to be the first non-essential to cross (but forgo planting an American flag on the other side) 

 

Here's a few pics. of my trip

(sincere apologies to Dave2 for obvious reasons )

I didn't see the thread about Dave2 before posting above.

I just jokingly meant I got there to take pics before him.

But as I find it a fitting memorial to him I'll leave it up.

May his God be with him.

 

Some have said they think the bridge is to make a shortcut, avoiding the ferry, to do as JungleChef has posted.  I sincerely doubt it, but it is currently being used by bicyclists and dirt bikers. Time will tell.  Nice photos JungleChef. 

Bridge on November 25th, 2017.

Looks like they are building another bridge right next to the new one now

That's great, I'm cycling up to sticky waterfalls!

10 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

That's great, I'm cycling up to sticky waterfalls!

I did that recently, a nice 88 km loop from my home

 

https://www.strava.com/activities/1295006746

4 hours ago, junglechef said:

I did that recently, a nice 88 km loop from my home

 

https://www.strava.com/activities/1295006746

 

That's a nice link.  I did it a few weeks ago on my motorcycle, but I didn't have my GPS. Quite a climb.  Great job doing it on a bike. 

On 12/17/2017 at 11:50 AM, silverhawk_usa said:

That's a nice link.  I did it a few weeks ago on my motorcycle, but I didn't have my GPS. Quite a climb.  Great job doing it on a bike. 

Thanks, we call it a Hike & Bike 

I went today, good god, the climb after the bridge is a complete killer.

Didn't get much further than the bridge. Returned to the coffee shop by the bridge for a rest, Mocha Yen 40bht.

11 minutes ago, MaeJoMTB said:

I went today, good god, the climb after the bridge is a complete killer.

Didn't get much further than the bridge. Returned to the coffee shop by the bridge for a rest, Mocha Yen 40bht.

I just get off and push the bike up when it gets too hard. Some great views on that track though. When you come off that dirt road you have the steep road climb to the village but after that its flatish and plenty of long gentle descents. Only the bridge to the village is the tough part.

4 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

I went today, good god, the climb after the bridge is a complete killer.

Didn't get much further than the bridge. Returned to the coffee shop by the bridge for a rest, Mocha Yen 40bht.

 

 

 

Time to TTFU ;-)

Anyone got any updates on the Mae Khuang reservoir second bridge? Done some motorcycle-hiking in the area but hoping to take a few car-hikers there if/when the bridges are opened to 4-wheeled traffic.