Drivers bracing for traffic amid repairs

Drivers bracing for traffic amid repairs

The Asok-Phetchaburi flyover, which has helped relieve traffic jams on Phetchaburi Road since its opening in 1970, will not be accessible for six months as the bridge undergoes a major restoration. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)
The Asok-Phetchaburi flyover, which has helped relieve traffic jams on Phetchaburi Road since its opening in 1970, will not be accessible for six months as the bridge undergoes a major restoration. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)

Motorists travelling to the Asok-Phetchaburi intersection have been told to brace for bad traffic snarls as workers begin repairs on its ageing flyover on Saturday, which are expected to take about six months to finish.

The 49-year-old bridge will be closed from today until Sept 4 for the restoration, but this will block drivers from accessing a portion of the usually crowded Phetchaburi Road.

"We want people to know about it in order to plan their travel in advance," Pol Maj Gen Chirasan Kaewsaeng-ake, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said yesterday.

Police officers will start regulating traffic at the Asok-Phetchaburi and nearby Asok-Din Daeng intersections to relieve congestion.

At the Asok-Phetchaburi crossroads, cars heading to Pratunam will be allowed to drive on three inbound lanes on Phetchaburi Road toward the inner-city areas.

Those on their way to Klong Tan will occupy two outbound lanes.

Drivers on Asok Montri Road, which crosses Phetchaburi, can take their usual routes.

Changes will also be made to the Asok-Din Daeng intersection.

Cars on the outbound lanes of Kamphaeng Phet 7 Road will only be able to make left turns, Pol Maj Gen Chirasan said.

They are prohibited from going straight or turning right onto the Asok-Phetchaburi Intersection.

As for the inbound lanes of Kamphaeng Phet 7 Road, motorists can "go in each direction", he said.

However, automatic traffic lights at this intersection will be temporarily turned off, and police will direct drivers.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau will assign 12 officers to the two intersections each day, Pol Maj Gen Chirasan said.

Motorists who want to travel via expressways near the areas are advised to use Asok 1, Asok 2 and Phatthanakan entrances/exits.

Police also recommend that drivers consider alternative routes to avoid getting stuck in traffic.

Possible alternative routes include Rama IX, Phetuthai, Nikhom Makkasan, Chaturathit, Ratchaprarop and Chidlom roads as well as minor roads off Sukhumvit, namely Sukhumvit 3, 55 and 63.

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