A budget of 109 billion baht has been earmarked to fund transport infrastructure to serve the eastern seaboard development project, Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith says.
The government is giving projects on the eastern seaboard a push as the area is home to many industrial estates and also attracts many tourists.
Speaking after chairing the Eastern Seaboard Development Committee yesterday, Mr Arkhom said the funds would cover road, rail and water transportation development projects.
Aviation and the Thai-Chinese joint dual rail development projects are excluded.
He said one of the most urgent road projects is the 32km motorway linking Chon Buri's Pattaya with Rayong's Map Ta Phut which is estimated to cost 20.2 billion baht.
Of the total, 14.2 billion baht will be allocated from the motorway fund to finance construction and the rest will be sought from the cabinet to pay for land appropriation fees.
"The Pattaya-Map Ta Phut motorway project is expected to be submitted to the cabinet for approval soon. Construction is scheduled to begin late this year," he said.
Mr Arkhom said the Finance Ministry is not opposed to the Transport Ministry's plan to use the motorway fund but the spending needs to be approved by the cabinet.
The committee has also agreed to accelerate efforts to better tackle traffic congestion around Laem Chabang port.
It is hoped an elevated road at Nong Kham will ease traffic woes when it is completed in August this year.
He also said the estimated cost of the planned 106km dual-track route from Chachoengsao to Saraburi's Kaeng Khoi is being reviewed. Bidding is expected to proceed this year. The construction cost is initially estimated at 11.3 billion baht.
Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said the development of transport networks in the coastal provinces is essential because of their contribution to the economy.
However, he said the development projects must be carefully planned to help boost connectivity while minimising impacts on the environment and community.
He noted the primary network is designed to accommodate transport by cargo trucks while the secondary network is to accommodate smaller vehicles.
ACM Prajin said the Trat provincial airport will also be developed to serve U-tapao airport in Rayong.
The National Economic and Social Development Board and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office will conduct a study on runway and terminal expansion at Trat airport.
He added that a memo of understanding on the development of U-tapao airport between the Transport Ministry and the Royal Thai Navy is being drafted.
Once ready it will be submitted to the navy for consideration before both sides can sign the agreement.
U-tapao airport, which is under the jurisdiction of the navy, is one of the four airports being eyed for development into an "aviation industrial estate".
The other three are Nakhon Ratchasima airport, the airport at the air force's Flying Training School in Nakhon Pathom, and Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan province.