Highways Dept told to speed up motorway plan
The Transport Ministry has told the Highways Department to hurry through a proposed motorway development plan, so projects can be carried out under the budget for the 2008 fiscal year.
Chaiswat Kittipornpaiboon, permanent secretary at the ministry, said last week he had ordered the Highways Department to speed up its motorway plans so that some road construction could fall under next year's budget, which begins in October. The road from Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Sawan is targeted for upgrade from two lanes into a motorway. The middle of the road will carry a toll, while the parallel roads will be free. The scheme will have an estimated budget of Bt25.2 billion and is part of a five-year plan lasting until 2011 to link Bangkok to its surrounding cities. "Motorways will help ease congestion on the country's main roads, especially between Bang Pa-in and Nakhon Sawan," Chaiswat said. He said toll profits would fund further motorway construction, but the Highways Department must allocate sufficient funds before it could begin work. The five-year plan consists of five major routes with a total budget of Bt122.55 billion. They are: Bang Pa-in-Saraburi-Nakhon Ratchasima, with an estimated budget of Bt29 billion; Bang Yai-Baan Pong-Kanchanaburi, at Bt23.8 billion; Nakhon Pathom-Samut Sakhon-Cha-am, for Bt33.3 billion; Chon Buri-Pattaya-Map Ta Phut, for Bt11.25 billion; and Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Sawan, costing Bt25.2 billion. This year's budget is Bt45.18 billion, including Bt29.83 billion for road development and Bt13.5 billion for maintenance.
Watcharapong Thongrung The Nation
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