Wires along Ratchadapisek to go underground from 2018

Wires along Ratchadapisek to go underground from 2018

The familiar unsightly tangle of overhead cable lines in Bangkok, this time on Lang Suan Road. (file photo)
The familiar unsightly tangle of overhead cable lines in Bangkok, this time on Lang Suan Road. (file photo)

The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) will call for bids for a 4.3 billion baht overhead-to-underground power line conversion contract along a first stretch of Ratchadaphisek road next year.

Thepsak Thitaraksa, MEA assistant governor, said the bidding would be for the first phase, a distance of 14.3kms from Ratchada-Lat Phrao intersection to Rama IX intersection, the Daily News reported.

Tenders for the second phase, 8.2kms from Rama IX intersection to Khlong Toey area, are expected to be called in early 2019.

Mr Thepsak said the agency has worked closely with the Mass Rapid Transit Authority in the project design because the cables run along the MRTA's underground train route known as the Blue Line.

In 2016, the MEA, Telecommunications Organisation, National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Royal Thai Police signed a memorandum to remove overhead electric wires and telecom cables and place them underground.

The government wants all overhead power lines and telecom cables in Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi underground by 2021. The work involves a combined 127km on 39 roads at an estimated cost of 51.7 billion baht.

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