Motorists and commuters are being urged to avoid Ratchadaphisek Road and Phahon Yothin Road as the demolition of Ratchayothin intersection flyover has begun.
The Traffic Police Division reported normal congestion around the Ratchayothin intersection on Wednesday morning and evening during rush hours after the contractor started the demolition work at 00.01am.
Traffic at the demolition site and nearby roads was reported to be at a standstill for most of the day.
Traffic on outbound Phahon Yothin Road stretched for eight kilometres from Ratchayothin intersection to Saphan Khwai intersection at about 6pm.
The demolition work was likely to increase the number of vehicles on Lat Phrao, Lat Phrao-Wang Hin, Chokchai 4, Sutthisan, Kaset-Nawamin and Vibhavadi Rangsit roads, plus the Srirat Expressway. Authorities advised people to avoid these roads.
To avoid Ratchayothin intersection, drivers are urged to take recommended bypass routes. Inbound motorists on Ratchadapisek Road can take Ratchadapisek sois 48 and 46/1 to reach Phahon yothin 35. They can also take Ratchadapisek Soi 46 to Phahon Yothin Soi 33.
Motorists on Phahon Yothin can take Phahon Yothin Soi 30 to Ratchadapisek Soi 36.
Drivers on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road can take Vibhavadi Rangsit soi 30 to Phahon Yothin Soi 21. They can use Vibhavadi Rangsit Soi 32 to reach Phahon Yothin Soi 23.
Peerayudh Singpatanakul, governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, said the flyover demolition would be completed by next month and an underground tunnel on Ratchadapisek Road built. It will take two years to complete.
As for a flyover crossing Ratchayothin intersection on Phahon Yothin Road, he said the project was expected to be completed in a year.
He said the MRTA had urged the contractor to work swiftly so that the Ratchayothin intersection flyover could help ease traffic congestion during the tunnel's construction.