BANGKOK, Feb 23 – The Transport Ministry has unveiled a multi-million-baht project to construct Thailand’s longest cable-suspension bridge linking two seaboard provinces of Samut Prakarn and Samut Sakhon, according to a senior official.
Prasert Janruang-thong, deputy transport minister, said the 1,120-metre bridge will stretch over the Chao Phraya and Tha Chin rivers.
Construction of the 57-km, six-lane bridge will cost Bt49.6 billion and should start in the next three years and take at least three years to finish.
Mr Prasert said the bridge’s design will be similar to the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco will ease traffic congestion and save logistics cost.
“The two available bridges – Bhumibol and Kanchanapisek – which serve commuters and transport operators in the area will reach their limit soon. Traffic congestion will escalate by 20 percent if nothing is done,” he said.
Chartchai Tipsunave, director general of the Rural Roads Department, said a feasibility study and preliminary design for the bridge have been completed, to be followed by environment impact assessment and bidding for contractors.
Land expropriation for the project will cost Bt7.9 billion while economic return is forecast at 19.31 percent which justifies the investment, he said.
