Damrong Saengkaweelert,
deputy director of DASTA, chairs the meeting.
Urasin Khantaraphan
Pattaya-area officials say Sukhumvit Road sits at the heart of the
area’s traffic problems and a land transport “master plan” to be
delivered next year should focus on solving the highway’s congestion
woes.
At a June 9 hearing on the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism
Administration’s plan, chaired by DASTA’s deputy director, Damrong
Saengkaweelert, government officials representing Pattaya, Banglamung,
Najomtien and Nongprue all targeted Sukhumvit as a key to fixing the
region’s growing traffic problem.
Consultants from Pisut Technology Co., which was hired to draft the
master plan over the next 270 days, said Pattaya suggested the plan
should recommend Sukhumvit Road be altered to increase capacity.
In its comments, the city also called for promotion of sidewalks,
allocation of parking areas around events and activities, and
implementing technology to solve traffic issues.
In separate submissions, Nongprue and Banglamung called for development
of reserve roads that would connect to existing Pattaya infrastructure
and soak up Sukhumvit’s excess traffic. Najomtien added calls for more
pedestrian bridges over Sukhumvit.
Pisut is being paid 15 million baht to draft the plan to integrate
transportation in Pattaya and nine surrounding sub-districts. At a March
27 meeting, Pisut consultants said initial plans included connection of
high speed trains, development of park-and-ride lots, “development
piers,” a unified public-transport system, and even air transport.
Consultants said the their report will take into consideration
transportation initiatives already being built or in planning, including
high-speed trains, the Buraphawithi-Pattaya highway, Pattaya-Maptaput
highway and proposed bypass tunnels under three Sukhumvit Road
intersections. The final plan will split proposed projects into five
development phases.
Soliciting feedback from regional governments, Pisut said Takientia
Sub-district called for improvement of reserve roads, bicycle paths and
transport to facilitate eco-tourism.
Pong sub-district said the plan should highlight roads for tourism, as
it is home to reservoirs and beautiful landscapes. Pong also wants to
see more bicycle paths.
Huay Yai and Koh Sichang suggested development should expand reserve
roads to accommodate more traffic.
Khao Maikaew suggested development should include elevation of Highway
3240 to connect with Highway 331 and Sukhumvit Road.
