Construction of monorail lines gets ceremonial launch

Construction of monorail lines gets ceremonial launch

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha officially marks the start of construction of the depot for the Yellow Line in Bang Na district, Bangkok, on Monday. It is one of two monorail commuter feeder lines now under construction.(Photo by Thaweechai Thawatpakorn)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha officially marks the start of construction of the depot for the Yellow Line in Bang Na district, Bangkok, on Monday. It is one of two monorail commuter feeder lines now under construction.(Photo by Thaweechai Thawatpakorn)

The ceremonial launch of the construction on two new feeder monorails was held on Monday morning, the Yellow Line and Pink Line, with services expected to commence in 2021.

The Yellow Line, to cost 52 billion baht, will be about 30 kilometres long, running between Lat Phrao and Samrong. The 53.5-billion-baht Pink Line will run 34km, between Min Buri and Khae Rai.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha launched the projects at the Srinakarin branch of the Highways Department on Srinakarin Road in Bang Na district. The site will be a depot for the Yellow Line. He pushed a button to pour concrete into the first foundation structure.

The prime minister said the nation's first two monorails would play important roles in relieving Bangkok traffic congestion in the long run, as they would feed commuters to main electrified rail routes.

He also reaffirmed his government was implementing electric railway projects transparently, and asked contractors to minimise the impact on road traffic during construction.

Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc, Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction Plc and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc set up a joint venture to build and operate the new links.

In fact, construction is already 3-5% completed on both projects. Construction periods were set for three years. The operating concessions awarded by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority will run for 30 years after completion of the lines.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (6)