Chonburi takes more public input on Highway 7 widening

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Highway 7 will be widened to eight lanes with two off-ramps added near Laem Chabang Port, bringing the convenience of the Chonburi-Pattaya Motorway to Sriracha.

Adul Chaowathin, director of Motorway Office 12, presided over the third public hearing into the expansion plan July 5 at Laem Chabang City Hall. The forum was held to gather suggestions and ideas from government officials, business leaders and nearby residents.

An artist’s conception of the planned improvements to Highway 7 in and near Laem Chabang. An artist’s conception of the planned improvements to Highway 7 in and near Laem Chabang.

The work on what is now considered the Nongkham-Laem Chabang Highway will allow drivers coming from Nongkham to turn right into Sriracha and Pattaya-bound drivers from Laem Chabang to use a new U-turn bridge under the Nongkham-Laem Chabang Highway.

Plans also call for a doubling of the existing four lanes, with toll booths added at Bangphra, Nongkham and Pong. Construction will be divided in five phases.

The Highway Department is also working to mitigate environmental concerns by adding new flood control measures for the Boh Yang canal and digging new drainage routes.