The Bangkok governor has cancelled a planned footbridge across the Chao Phraya River, but will proceed with developing walkways along both banks.
Aswin Kwanmuang told the media on Monday that he had rejected the proposed pedestrian bridge that would have linked Siriraj Hospital and Tha Phra Chan, because it would be an eyesore and a poor investment.
The pedestrian bridge would have blocked views on both sides of the Chao Phraya River, and ferries were already serving people in that area, Pol Gen Aswin said. The 1.7 billion baht budget could be better spent on other development projects.
The City Hall's Public Works Department had planned the two-tier bridge to serve pedestrians on one level and electric buggies on the other. It would have connected Tha Phra Chan area in Phra Nakhon district to Siriraj Hospital in the Wang Lang area of Bangkok Noi district.
The 9-metre-wide bridge would have been on two levels, each 4 metres high, and would have included bike lanes and facilities to assist disabled people.
The governor said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration would seek cabinet approval for walkways along a 14-kilometre section of the Chao Phraya River, from Rama VII Bridge to Phrapinklao Bridge.
If it is approved, a contractor could be chosen by March, he said.