BANGKOK, 24 October 2011 – The Ministry of Transport has indicated that a budget of up to 25 billion THB might be needed for the repair of flood-damaged roads and highways while efforts are urgently being made to unblock transportation routes.
Permanent Secretary for Transport Supoj Saplom insisted that authorities were striving to save the transportation system from being impacted by floods. So far, floodwater has made commutes difficult on many northbound roads, including Phahonyothin Road at Bang Pa-in and Wang Noi districts of Ayutthaya, the Asian Highway heading towards Nakhon Sawan, Motorway Number 9 between Bang Pa-in and Bang Bua Thong as well as the Chaeng Wattana-Bang Pa-in Expressway between Thammasat University and Bang Pa-in.
People traveling to the North are encouraged to take the road towards Nakhon Pathom and Suphan Buri before returning to the Asian Highway at Ang Thong or Sing Buri.
As for motorists bound for the Northeast, they are recommended to avoid the flood by using the Don Mueang Toll Way to Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road before continuing their journey to Saraburi province via Nakhon Nayok’s Ban Na district.
According to Mr Supoj, flood damages have been reported on a total of 80 roads under the supervision of the Department of Highways and another 200 roads under the supervision of the Department of Rural Roads. The Permanent Secretary affirmed that repair works would be conducted immediately after the floods had subsided.
An initial budget of one billion THB is expected to be spent on reopening the flooded roads for traffic while another amount of 20-25 billion THB might be required for their complete restoration.
