Motorists and commuters who use Phahon Yothin Road are bracing for a traffic nightmare when two flyovers will be cleared for the construction of a mass transit line from Mor Chit to Khu Khot in Pathum Thani province.
Construction firms have been given the nod from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to prepare for the construction with equipment to be hauled into the road.
The worst could come in September when the bridge over the Ratchayothin intersection will be flattened, followed by the demolition of the neighbouring flyover at the Kasetsart junction in November. All of this coincides with the rainy season.
Traffic on Phahon Yothin in the area of the two flyovers already causes headaches for drivers and public transport, and Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong on Thursday warned of compounding problems when heavy machinery is moved in.
The Green Line’s northern section from Mor Chit to Khu Khot in Lam Luk Ka district in Phathum Thani is run by the MRTA. The 19-kilometre-long route will have 16 stations. It links to the BTS at Mor Chit station.
The Transport Ministry and MRTA will work with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Metropolitan Police Bureau on a plan to alleviate congestion during the construction which will take two years.
MRTA governor Peerayudh Singpatanakul said City Hall had expressed concern about a traffic crisis during the construction period.
The Green Line will be an elevated train for the entire section. Two road tunnels will be built at the Ratchayothin and Kasetsart intersections to replace the flyovers which will make way for the train pillars.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/582695/traffic-woes-from-green-line-construction