Ratchapruek Road, one of the main routes to the north of Bangkok and the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, is being expanded to keep up with the robust economic activities in Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani, said the Department of Rural Roads (DoRR).
The 42-kilometre road will be enlarged from eight to 10 lanes in both directions.
Construction work kicked off yesterday and is expected to be completed in 2024.
The DoRR said the project complements the Transport Ministry's policy to upgrade transport infrastructure and ease traffic congestion on Ratchapruek Road, which is currently spilling over to adjacent thoroughfares.
The plan will help fully utilise the road, which is becoming clogged as a result of all the residential communities, housing estates, and commercial zones sprouting up along the route in recent years.
Apirat Chaiwongnoi, acting director-general of the DoRR, described it as one of the main arteries on the east-west axis of Bangkok. It cuts through areas in the north of the capital and the western bank of the Chao Phraya and connects business clusters and large government offices along Chaeng Watthana Road.
The first phase of developing Ratchapruek Road, which linked it with Rama IV Road, was launched in 2006. A second stage was opened between Bang Kruai Road and Sai Noi in Nonthaburi province nine years later.
It was the first major road to directly connect Pak Kret with the Bang Bua Thong districts of Nonthaburi. About 40,000 motorists use the road daily on average.
The department chief added that the 902-million-baht expansion project will include building four new bridges.