Bangkok to start studies on four new bridges over Chao Phya

A Public Works Department source said yesterday the agency was hiring consultant to conduct an eight-month study of the design and routes for the four bridges, including their initial environmental impact assessment and public hearings.

The total budget of Bt190 million for the design study would be broken down into Bt39.9 million for the Ratchawong Pier-Din Daeng Pier bridge, Bt49.4 million for the Kiak Kai Intersection-Wat Chatkaew bridge, Bt49.4 million for the Lat Ya-Maha Pruktharam bridge and Bt44.9 million for the Chan Road-Charoenkrung Road bridge.

The first bridge has two lanes while the other three are four-lane bridges.

The projects, which were originally submitted in late September, had run into heavy opposition from residents who faced eviction from their homes.

The city considered scrapping three bridges, except for Kiak Kai, which was on land mostly owned by the Army.

However, the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office later agreed that all four bridges would go forward but be reduced in scale to minimise the impacts. They should also be linked to other roads and public transport projects.

Public Works chief Chatinai Naowaphuti said the Kiak Kai Intersection-Wat Chatkaew bridge might be the first to be built but downsized to a pedestrian bridge rather than one for vehicular traffic to lessen the impact of expropriation.