Thailand’s Highways Dept plans to extend elevated Don Muang tollway from Rangsit to Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya
The Department of Highways (DOH) is pressing ahead with plans to extend the elevated Uttraphimuk Tollway (Don Muang tollway) from Rangsit to Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya, valued at a cost of more than 47 billion baht.
The 22-kilometre extension, part of the Intercity Motorway No.5 (M5), is designed to ease chronic congestion along Phahonyothin and Vibhavadi-Rangsit roads while enhancing connectivity between Bangkok, Pathum Thani, and Ayutthaya, DOH director-general Pongsakorn Chullabodhi said.
The DOH held a market sounding session on Thursday in Bangkok, attended by representatives from more than 40 major firms, including CH Karnchang, Don Muang Tollway, BTS Group Holdings, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction and Gulf Development.
The event aimed to gather private-sector feedback and attract potential investors for the Public-Private Partnership (PPP Gross Cost) project, he said.
The private sector will be responsible for construction, operation, and maintenance, while ownership and toll revenues will remain under state control.
The PPP model will ensure efficient project management and sustainable returns while mitigating financial risks for the government, he said.
Construction is expected to take four years, followed by a 30-year operation and maintenance period. The project will extend the current seven-kilometre route between the National Memorial and Rangsit in Pathum Thani — which currently operates toll-free — creating a 29-kilometre elevated corridor between Bangkok and Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya province, he said.
Tolls will range from 20 to 40 baht depending on distance, with the six-lane elevated motorway designed to accommodate high traffic volumes. The project will include seven entry and exit points and a rest area near the Rangsit 1 toll plaza.
“The road will also integrate the M-Flow barrier-free toll collection system to improve travel efficiency and reduce congestion at toll booths,” he said.
The DOH plans to invite bidding proposals early next year and sign contracts later in the year, with the motorway targeted for completion and opening by 2031.
According to an economic assessment, the project will generate more than 120 billion baht in total economic value, with net benefits exceeding 7.9 billion baht.
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3133173/dept-to-push-don-muang-tollway-extension-plan
