Three consortiums with Chinese partners have offered the lowest bids for three contracts to construct an expressway linking Rama III Road, Dao Khanong and the western outer ring road.
There are four contracts in total for the 30-billion-baht project, for which bids have been made, said Nontajit Bangsomboon, acting deputy governor of the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat).
The scheme will be financially supported by the Thailand Future Fund, which currently holds 44.8 billion baht.
As for the first contract, which covers 6.4 kilometres of the route, the CNA consortium offered the lowest bid of 5.8 billion baht on the reserve price of 6.9 billion baht. CNA consists of China State Construction Engineering Corp, Nawarat Patanakarn Plc, AS Associated Engineering Co.
The CPT consortium meanwhile offered the lowest bid of 6.4 billion baht on the second contract, which concerns a 5.3km stretch and has a reserve price of 7.2 billion baht.
CPT encompasses China Harbour Engineering Co, Thipakorn Co, Buriram Thongchai Construction Co and Unique Engineering and Construction Plc.
The third contract, which covers a distance of 5km, saw another consortium with a Chinese partner offer the lowest bid of 6 billion baht on the reserve price of 6.9 billion baht.
That consortium consists of China Railway Number 10 Engineering Group Co, the Civil Engineering Co and Boonchai Panich (1979) Co.
However, CH Karnchang Plc (CK) offered the lowest bid of 6.6 billion baht to construct a 2km section of the expressway under the fourth contract, which has a reserve price of 7.9 billion baht.
The prices quoted by bidders will be presented to Exat's selection committee for consideration, according to Mr Nontajit.
Mr Nontajit added that the construction of the expressway will take about three years.