Kasetsart University has submitted an objection to an expressway expansion plan that it says would endanger its historic campus area, and has suggested an alternative route.

Yellow dotted line is the current plan in which the expressway runs above Ngam Wong Wan Road. Blue dotted line is the route proposed by Kasetsart University, along Bang Khen canal. The campus is on the left inside the red outline.

The suggestion was made in a letter signed on Dec 25 and sent to the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) and other public sectors involved, a report said on Thursday.

University Rector Wuttichai Kapilakarn said at a public hearing in early December the university had learned that Exat had changed its mind and chosen a new route not included in the earlier known four alternatives.

The university's own public hearing involving employees and nearby residents showed they were worried about the expressway expansion that would run above Ngam Wong Wan Road, linking Phahon Yothin Road to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road.

Their concerns related to  three aspects - the impact on the environment to communities and other public and private institutions; the impact on private properties and safety and unmeasurable psychological effects; as well as the change in the landscape.

The university argues the expressway route would cause air pollution and noise pollution. The vibration caused by large vehicles could also damage expensive educational equipment.

Mr Wuttichai said some classrooms at Kasetsart University were only 12-16 metres away from the main road. Car  accidents on the expressway could put the lives of students and staff in danger.

The expressway would be 28 metres high and would block important landscapes which were very sentimental for the Kasetsart alumni and other people in the area.

The Kasetsart University rector recommended two alternatives - Exat could re-route the expressway along Bang Khen canal, or build a tunnel under the road.

Related search: express way, Exat, Kasetsart University