Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha kicked off construction Wednesday on a new 196-kilometre inter-city tollway worth 84.6 billion baht linking Ayutthaya, Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Highway No.6 was held near the Phahon Yothin Highway in Nong Khae district, Saraburi. The new tollway is expected to be completed in 2019 with the official opening in 2020.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisit said the new motorway will start at the Bang Pa-in interchange, where Highway No.9 (Bangkok's eastern ring road) adjoins Highway No.1 (Phahon Yothin Road) in Ayutthaya.
It will run parallel with Phahon Yothin and Highway No.2 (the Mitrapharp Highway) and will end at the Nakhon Ratchasima Bypass in Muang district.
The road will have four to six lanes and pass through Bang Pa-in, Wang Noi and Uthai districts of Ayutthaya; Nong Khae, Muang, Kaeng Khoi and Muak Lek districts of Saraburi; and Pak Chong, Sikhiu, Sung Noen, Kham Thale So and Muang districts of Nakhon Ratchasima.
There will be nine tollgates, 10 junctions, and eight rest areas along the route. Private firms will also be invited to invest in businesses in the rest areas.
Tolls will be based on distance travelled. A motorist's entry onto the road will be recorded and the toll amount charged at the exit point.
Of 84.6 billion baht project budget, 77.97 billion baht was earmarked for construction, while 6.63 billion baht was allotted for land expropriation, Mr Arkhom said. The ministry was in the process of organising bidding for 36 of the 40 original construction-related contracts.
Mr Arkhom said the motorway, the country's third inter-city tollway, will be the first tollway in the northern region. Once opened, Highway No.6 will help address traffic congestion along Highways 1 and 2, particularly during long holidays.
The motorway will also improve transport links connecting Bangkok with the northeastern region as well as neighbouring countries including Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and China's southern region, he added.