Department of Rail Transport (DRT) follows up on proposed second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai
The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) is following up on progress of the proposed second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai, which aims to connect logistics to Laos via the Na Tha Cross-dock Warehouse.
DRT director-general Pichet Kunadhamraks recently chaired a meeting with the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) and other state agencies to discuss the Friendship Bridge and Thai-Sino High-Speed Railway projects.
Mr Pichet said the second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, to be built 30 metres from the first one, is part of a plan to develop the Na Tha Cross-dock Warehouse by providing a direct connection from Thailand to Laos.
The bridge would support logistics between the two countries, linking the Na Tha Railway in Nong Khai to the Mekong Flyover and both Vientiane and Thanaleng Stations in Laos, he said.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is studying the bridge’s design and various technical details for the next stage of the project.
Mr Pichet said the bridge would feature both one-metre gauge and standard gauge tracks, connecting to Vientiane and Thanaleng Stations.
The DRT will send Thai representatives to participate in a meeting with Lao officials on the bridge in Laos on Oct 17, Mr Pichet added.
Regarding the Thai-Sino High-Speed Railway, the first phase of the project — covering a 250.77-kilometre route from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima — is making progress with two out of 14 contracts complete.
As of August, the project was 47.51% complete, a delay of 15.54% compared with the original schedule.
The DRT has also prepared the terms of reference (ToR) for the second phase of the project, covering a 356-kilometre route from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai.
The second phase will require an estimated budget of about 179 billion baht, with bidding expected to be launched later this year, said Mr Pichet.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3100045/drt-follows-up-on-2nd-thailao-bridge-project
