Relocation of sewage pipes and utility lines will delay completion of a wheelchair-accessible pedestrian bridge over Sukhumvit Road until at least June.
Acting Mayor Chanapong Sriviset said following a Jan. 17 meeting with project engineers, transport officials and representatives from the provincial electricity and waterworks authorities that the elevator-equipped overpass planned adjacent to the Redemptorist School for Persons with Disabilities will take about six months.
Officials last month projected the bridge would be open in April.
Chawalit Jirayayanyong, project manager and architect at the Land Transportation Office, said utility systems on both sides and under Sukhumvit Road are obstacles to a quick completion of the long-delayed project.
He said utility poles and wires on both sides of the street need to be relocated and sewage pipelines under the road would be diverted.
Contractors are insisting that box culverts be installed, digging for which can take up to a month. However, digging will need to take place on the grounds of the Redemptorist School, so its approval will have to be obtained.
The school has pushed for years for the bridge, so approval is expected quickly.
Somchai Panpao, architect for Sukhumvit-Central roads bypass tunnel zone, in which the bridge will be built, said the utility work should be started soon so as not to delay the actual bridge construction.
Chanapong assigned the Engineering Department to coordinate with the Department of Rural Roads to conduct a survey and move on with the process as soon as possible.
