NAKHON SAWAN - Shop owners have protested against a planned 800-million-baht tunnel under the Dechatiwong intersection in Muang district.
The group erected banners around the area opposing the project. They argue the tunnel would not help solve traffic problems and its construction would deter customers from shopping in nearby areas.
Protest leader Surasak Tisayathikom said he wanted the authorities to put the budget allocated for the traffic underpass toward building a new city bypass instead.
Narin Suwanthana, chief of the Road and Transit Division of Nakhon Sawan, yesterday insisted the intersection underpass is needed to tackle growing traffic congestion in the province.
The tunnel could help solve the road congestion at seven nearby intersections and improve road transportation infrastrucuture ahead of the launch of the Asean Economic Community at the end of next year, he said.