The project engineer for the Mae Jo Tunnel construction and Pa Tan Bridge expansion said that if everything remains on track the construction could be finished ahead of the scheduled March 19, 2018 date and could be ready by the beginning of 2018
Rattapong Lertsuwanpaisan, Project Engineer, said that the construction is currently ahead of schedule despite some problems replacing the old water pipes with larger water pipes which saw traffic lanes closed and water turned off periodically.
Currently, the tunnel is about 80 percent done with the lower part drilled through on both sides, next they are installing the water pumping system, lights and security. He added that even though the tunnel could currently be used without these safety features installed the engineers feel it isn’t safe.
The southbound lanes of the highway will be finished first followed by the north bound lanes beginning at Theppanya Hospital. That side has been delayed due to the placement of water drains to the river. The road connecting to the tunnel has already been completed but is not open, the construction remains fenced off. The expansion of the Pa Tan Bridge will be the final issue tackled.
The project began March 19, 2015 and is scheduled to end in March 2018 but the engineer confidently predicted that without further problems construction should be finished by the beginning of January 2018.
