Skytrain extension project progressing on schedule
The Skytrain extension from Saphan Taksin across the river to Taksin Intersection and the first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route, from Chong Nonsi to Rajaphruek, will both be ready to serve the public early next year.
Planned projects for mass transit systems will cost the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) over Bt20 billion. That sum includes Bt8.76 billion for the 5.25km extension from On Nut to Sukhumvit 107; Bt9.46 billion for the 6.7km extension from Saphan Taksin to Bang Wa; and Bt2.18 billion for the 16.5km Chong Nonsi BRT route. Work on the Chong Nonsi bus link, to be undertaken by Unique Engineering & Construction Co, is due to start on March 1 and will take six to seven months to complete. Four more express bus (BRT) routes are also in the pipeline: l A 38-km link from Don Muang to Min Buri and Suvarnabhumi, to be built later this year. It will cost Bt4.53 billion; l An 18.7-km route from Mor Chit to Pak Kred, which will cost Bt1.12 billion; l A 25-km route from Min Buri to Sri Nakharin and Sukhumvit 107, which will cost Bt3.12 billion; l And a 15.6-km route from Bang Na to Suvarnabhumi, which will cost Bt1.93 billion. The five BRT routes will cover just over 98 kilometres and cost nearly Bt13 billion. Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin led a press tour along the first BRT route on Wednesday. He said: "If all five BRT routes are completed they will link with the Skytrain and subway lines covering the inner city to important places in suburban areas. They will make travelling around the city quicker and more convenient and help reduce traffic jams." Deputy city governor Panit Wikitset said the 2.2-km extension from Saphan Taksin to Taksin Intersection was 90 per cent done and should be completed by April. The system will be tested for six months before opening for service. A further 4.5-km stretch from Taksin Intersection to Bang Wa should be completed in late 2009, while the On Nut-Sukhumvit 107 extension would open for service in early 2009, he said. Besides the two Skytrain extensions, the city had also received full funding from the government to build two other Skytrain extensions: a 14-km link from Sukhumvit 107 to Samut Prakan (costing Bt14.9 billion) and a 13-km route from Mor Chit to Saphan Mai (costing Bt14.74 billion), Panit said.
Mayuree Sukyingcharoenwong The Nation
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