Eighty percent of government, commercial and educational professionals surveyed by two city contractors approve of plans to dig three subterranean bypasses under Sukhumvit Road, consultants told a public hearing last month.
Boonpanya Technology Co. and Integrated Engineering Consulting Co. surveyed (an undisclosed number of) city and regional government officials, academics, school administrators, community leaders, media representatives and executives from hotels and malls about the Sukhumvit bypasses at North, South, and Thepprasit roads and found the vast majority completely approve of the construction while only 20 percent opposed it.
Asst. Prof. Narong Kularb (left), traffic engineer / consultant for the Pattaya underpass project, and K. Jirawat, civic engineer from Punya Technology Co. Ltd. (right), listen to opinions about the proposed Sukhumvit underpasses.
The primary objections expressed by respondents centered on the project’s planned drainage system, given Pattaya’s notorious reputation for flooding during even minimal rainfall. Other concerns focused on the digging’s impact on the environment and traffic delays during the building.
Respondents suggested the government increase the amount of publicity about the project to better inform the public about its details, as well as safety hazards posed during construction.
The consulting companies, hired to perform feasibility studies and construction planning, released the results supporting their work at the latest public hearing attended by 150 people Dec. 24. The session also saw the release of the dimensions of the two proposed tunnels.
Planners said the northern tunnel will stretch 1,688 meters with the actual tunnel spanning 968 meters. The South Roads project will run 2,075 meters with a 457-meter tunnel while the Thepprasit tunnel bypass will run 1,002 meters with a 598-meter tunnel.
All three projects are constructed of steel and concrete and offer four traffic lanes under busy Sukhumvit Road. All will offer U-turns before each side of the tunnel as well as island dividers featuring flowers, safety equipment and ventilation equipment.
