Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome talks about the plans
to begin intersection tunneling later this year.
Warunya Thongrod
Five years after Pattaya Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome proposed building
traffic-bypass tunnels under Sukhumvit Road, construction finally is
scheduled to begin later this year.
Itthiphol announced April 3 that years of debate and studies are finally
over, with the Department of Rural Roads releasing the first funds for the
construction that will create three years of construction havoc on the main
artery into the city.
Drivers dreading the detours may be able to take solace in history, however:
It’s not the first time the mayor has said construction was scheduled to
start. The mayor previously announced start dates in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The Central-Sukhumvit junction bypass - which calls for four subterranean
lanes to be built under the busy intersection to separate through and
downtown Pattaya-bound traffic - features a roofed roadway, 1,900 meters
long, running from Pornprapanimit Road, under Sukhumvit and ending on
Central Road.
Only 420 meters of the roadway would be covered. The 20-meter-wide roadway
will have air ventilators, drainage, security cameras and a fire
extinguisher system. There will also be a U-turn constructed on top of the
tunnel with an island adorned with dolphin sculptures.
Additional bypasses are planned under Sukhumvit Road intersections with
North, Central, South and Thepprasit roads. Planning has already begun on
all sections, which each measure 1,000-2,000 meters long. Construction on
the Thepprasit tunnel also will begin during the three-year period, the
mayor said.
Itthiphol said the budget to hire a contractor has been approved and the
city is now taking bids. A final decision is expected by May. Once a
contractor is hired, he said, a meeting will be held with relevant agencies
on the construction plans.
The mayor said the emphasis will be on minimizing inconvenience to drivers
and Sukhumvit business owners. Detours and alternate routes will be well
marked and another route through Nong Plalai will be available to bypass
Sukhumvit entirely, he said.
“Personally, I believe that the construction will only affect only two
traffic lanes,” Itthiphol said. The first phase of construction will see the
median island removed and the far-left lane, now used for parking, dug up.
That will leave three lanes of traffic, he said.
Business owners and customers will need to find other places to park and
drivers are encouraged to use shortcuts and alternate routes, the mayor
said.
