A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed by year's end with the winner of a bid to construct the 3.98-kilometre Kathu-Patong expressway in Phuket, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) says.
The expected MoU date was disclosed yesterday by Exat governor Surachat Laophulsuk after a pre-bid meeting was held with the private sector on details of the 14.67-billion-baht project.
Thirteen private companies from Thailand, China and France were interested in the project bidding, Mr Surachat said.
They will have until April 7 to submit their tenders, he said.
An announcement on the winning bid and the signing of the MoU is expected to take place in December, Mr Surachat said.
He said the expressway will be built under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The government touts the project as good for growth.
The government will take care of land expropriation, for which the cabinet allocated 5.79 billion baht for this purpose, while the winning bidder will be responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance for 35 years.
Construction should commence in 2024 and will be finished in 2027, he said.
The expressway will run from Phra Mettha Road in tambon Patong and end at tambon Kathu in the same district, linking the eastern part of the island and Patong beach.