Link road to ease traffic at U-tapao
published : 3 Nov 2021 at 06:00
newspaper section: News
writer: Post Reporters
A 2-kilometre-long road is set to be constructed linking a nearby motorway with U-tapao airport in Rayong, the Department of Highways (DoH) said on Tuesday.
The project will take three years to complete and is due to break ground next year at a cost of 4.5 billion baht.
The new road will widen access to the airport and facilitate the movement of traffic to the nearby Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) industrial development zone.
A meeting was convened yesterday at a hotel in Rayong to follow up on any progress with the project. Chaired by Rayong deputy provincial governor Piroon Hemarak, it was the second meeting to be held on the planned construction.
The session focused on a study of the engineering side of the project as well as measures to mitigate any environmental impact.
The meeting also reportedly heard input from stakeholders and fielded suggestions from the general public as well as government agencies and the private sector.
The road will link Motorway No.7 from the U-tapao tollgate. It will pass through the air defence artillery division of the Marine Artillery Regiment and merge with the entrance to the airport at an intersection on Sukhumvit Road.
Parts of the road will be elevated, with a design incorporating the semi-directional loop ramp serving traffic from the Sattahip district of neighbouring Chon Buri heading toward the airport, as well as traffic moving from the airport in the direction of Rayong.
The road will also be equipped with two on-off ramps for those travelling between Motorway No.7 and Sukhumvit Road.
According to the study, contractors will be required to strictly comply with measures to prevent and minimise the environmental impact of the project.
Signs will need to be erected to clearly warn motorists of construction work ahead. Extra lights will be installed at accident-prone spots near the construction site.
The DoH gathered feedback and suggestions about the project from the meeting, and they will be reflected in the project blueprint, officials said.
