The first cars traversed the Sukhumvit-Central roads bypass tunnel last week, but only because construction at street level had blocked normal traffic.
The 900-million-baht tunnel is not complete and will not open for normal operation until at least February. But a few lucky drivers got to see first-hand how far work has progressed for four hours Dec. 6.
Tithiwat Anurithikul, head of operations and construction, said traffic police rerouted traffic while crews moved large steel girders in preparation for installation of large directional signs.
It was deemed a safety precaution as heavy machinery was being used and space on Sukhumvit Road would have been severely curtailed.
That didn’t stop traffic mayhem, however. Just moments after the underground bypass was opened, a six-wheeled truck broke down and caused a huge backup until it was moved out of traffic.
