The Department of Highways (DOH) will expropriate land for the first time for its multi-billion baht construction of a new highway linking Nakhon Pathom and Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan, director-general Thanin Somboon said yesterday.
The construction of the 109km highway, at an estimated cost of 63.9 billion baht, will be run under the government's public-private partnership scheme.
The work will be divided into two parts: the land expropriation estimated at about 9.4 billion baht overseen by the DOH, and construction and maintenance of the highway, its system and rest stops, valued at about 54.5 billion baht and funded by the private sector, according to Mr Thanin.
He did not give an exact period for the construction though expropriation has been set down for the current fiscal year ending next September.
Mr Thanin said the DOH is now waiting for a royal decree for land expropriation which is under consideration by the Council of State.
He believed the expropriation can be carried out under the Highway Act, adding the royal decree was also required as some details of the project must be reviewed and specified.
"The DOH has never expropriated land for any projects before. For example, although the Don Muang Tollway was the first route contracted to a private company, the expropriation wasn't required because the tollway was built on the department's land," Mr Thanin said.
He also said prices of land plots along the new highway project have continued to rise, likely to absorb up to 10 billion baht in funds set aside for expropriation so far.
However, he said the DOH is in the process of negotiating with landowners so land prices will be in line with the estimated budget.
A source at the DOH said the department has completed feasibility and Environmental Impact Assessment studies.
Several private companies including Don Muang Tollway Public Company Limited have expressed an interest in the project. The concessionaire, when chosen, would be allowed to collect the highway fees and provide revenue sharing to the state.
The project is scheduled for completion in 2022, adding the highway is estimated to accommodate over 43,000 vehicles a day.