The Transport Ministry has revived plans to build Bangkok’s east-west expressway, shelved for years due to opposition from Kasetsart University over a section running adjacent to the campus.
The graphic of the earlier opposed expressway project on Ngam Wong Wan Road was presented to Kasetsart University on the road in 2012. (Photo by Surapol Promsaka na Sakonakorn)
Soithip Trisuddhi, permanent secretary for transport, said Transport Minister Prajin Juntong ordered transport authorities to negotiate with representatives from Kasetsart to restart the planned expressway project. Meanwhile, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) will proceed with sections of the project away from the campus.
She said that next year Exat would revive the 40km expressway from Bang Yai in Nonthaburi to Srinakarin Road in Bangkok.
The highway project is divided into three sections: Transport authorities will proceed next year with the so-called N2 and N3 sections: 20.5 kilometres from the Kaset intersection adjacent to Kasetsart University via Nawamin and Seri Thai roads to Srinakarin Road. The N1 section stretches about 19 kilometres from the Bang Yai intersection to the Kaset intersection.
Officials and students of Kasetsart University strongly opposed the N1 section due to possible noise, air pollution and accidents stemming from cars falling off the elevated roadway near the the university located at the western end of the section.
“ACM Prajin Juntong, the transport minister, ordered negotiation with Kasetsart University and concerned parties. Next year the N2 and N3 sections will start first,” Mrs Soithip said.
A study on the engineering, financial and environmental aspects of the expressway project will be concluded in December, she said.
Mrs Soithip added that next year Exat would implement a project to build another Bangkok expressway: 16.9km long from Rama III Road via Dao Khanong to the western outer ring road, and a 3.9km link from Kathu to Patong in Phuket province.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/445938/east-west-highway-plan-revived
