Thailand’s Ko Samui sea-bridge project expected to reach cabinet next year
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) plans to seek cabinet approval to build a bridge connecting the southern mainland and Koh Samui in late 2026, with construction to commence two years later.
Exat governor Surachet Laophulsuk announced the timeline on Monday.
He said the agency planned to send the project to the cabinet for endorsement late next year.
Bidding would open in 2027 and construction start a year later, with completion planned in 2034, if the cabinet approves the project, he said.
The Samui bridge proposal is due for third and final public hearings by the end of this year. The next steps would be approval of the environmental impact assessment, and Exat board approval. Only then would it be forwarded to Government House.
The Exat chief recently visited in Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat to inspect possible sites for the bridge. It will connect the mainland to the island from one of the two provinces, alleviating the congestion caused by relying on ferry crossings.
It would shorten travel time to only 20 minutes, down from more than one hour by ferry, and eliminate the wait for departure schedules. The length of the bridge and expressway will be around 40 kilometres, depending on the final location of the abutment.
Mr Surachet said the Samui expressway project will be a joint venture between the state and private sector because of its size and the investment cost, about 55 billion baht.
Exat also hopes to attract investment from the Electricity Authority of Thailand, Provincial Electricity of Thailand, Provincial Waterworks Authority and National Telecom Plc, as they will also benefit from the completion of the sea-bridge, he said..
Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/general/3104822/samui-seabridge-project-expected-to-reach-cabinet-next-year
