A 20-kilometre section of the new intercity motorway project linking Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district and Nakhon Ratchasima will be open to motorists from Saturday, according to the Highways Departments.
However, the section will only be open to motorists during certain times that have yet to be determined.
Department director-general Sarawut Songsiwilai said construction of the 20km Lam Ta Klong section in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhiu district is 100% complete and will be open for limited use pending a safety inspection.
Mr Sarawut said the section will possibly be open on weekends or long holidays, to alleviate traffic congestion in Lam Ta Klong in Nakhon Ratchasima's Sikhiu district. He said the limited opening will ensure safety because the entire project is not yet complete.
The 196km new motorway starts at the Bang Pa-in interchange, where Bangkok’s eastern ring road adjoins Phahon Yothin Road in Ayutthaya.
It runs parallel with Phahon Yothin and Mitraphap highways and ends at the Nakhon Ratchasima bypass in Muang district.
The project is divided into 40 separate contracts. Of these, more than 20 have already been completed and the rest is under construction.