Cyclists pedal on the bike lane at Suvarnabhumi airport after its official opening on March 23, 2014. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)
The popular bicycle track around Suvarnabhumi airport will close from June to September for resurfacing and construction of new features that will extend its operating hours.
Airports of Thailand Plc and Siam Commercial Bank signed an agreement on Wednesday to jointly revamp the 29-million-baht circuit, which opened in 2014 as a place for both novice and experienced bikers to pedal safely. The four-month shutdown will allow the two organisations to upgrade the 23.5-kilometre route, the bank said on Wednesday.
The 10-year agreement will pave the way for SCB to improve the track’s surface, build an inner lane and install facilities, including restrooms, and food and beverage areas. The track will be equipped with security cameras, a lighting system for night riding, and radio-frequency identification technology for cyclist registration and track access, it added.
SCB has allocated about 300 million baht for the project.
The country’s most popular bike venue, known among bikers as the Green Lane, is open from 6am to 6pm, but AoT plans to extend operating hours into the night after lights are fully installed.
AoT chairman Prasong Poontaneat said overhauling the track to achieve higher standards will be very beneficial to the public. SCB chairman Vichit Suraphongchai said the project underscored the shared interests of the two organisations to bring about benefits for the public.
“SCB will work with AoT to bring the track up to international standards and provide financial support as part of our corporate social responsibility policy,” he said.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/522315/suvarnabhumi-bike-track-to-close-4-months-for-upgrade
