Large construction jobs, especially those carried out by the state, have considerable effects on communities, often going beyond the site of design.
Rama II Road, for instance, has been undergoing renovations for more than five years.
Following a popular clip highlighting the building story, health concerns and poor traffic stream were once again brought up by work on one of the main routes to the southern region.
Additionally, a survey conducted by the well-known Social site” Paksabuy” last week asked users to identify a factor contributing to the continuing decline in the number of visitors visiting Hua Hin.
While many internet users chose cheap lodging and the country’s weak economic recovery, overcrowding along Rama II Road was at the top of the list of causes of the town’s declining popularity.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that the function is expected to be finished in June 2025, an expansion of the previous date of January, in response to problems.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and governmental regulations, which merely allow construction at night to avoid traffic congestion, the contractor’s financial difficulties are to blame for the delays.
Srettha Thavisin, the prime minister, said efforts are being made to handle the difficulties and that he would inspect the site quickly.
Additionally, he has requested that the Transport Ministry move more quickly along Rama II Road.
Finding out why the job has been ongoing for more than 50 years without a foretold conclusion, The Bangkok Post spoke with the organizations involved in it.
The Department of Highways ( DoH ) of the Transport Ministry is in charge of Rama II Road, or Highway 35.
The 84 km-long road begins at Suksawat Road in Bangkok, travels through Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram, and ends at Ban Wang Manao in Ratchaburi’s Pak Tho area on Highway 4.
The road’s structure, which was originally intended to be a two-lane street, began in 1970 and finished in 1973 with a 359 million baht budget. Compared to Phetkasem Road, the road cuts off the route from Bangkok to the southwestern region by approximately 40 kilometers.
Due to the increased volume of traffic, there has always been some sort of work in progress since its design started. Over the years, the road has steadily grown, and traffic currently has 10 lanes.
About 70 projects, including maintenance and development work, were completed between 1970 and 2017, according to a resource at the Ministry of Transportation, with estimated costs of 17 billion ringgit.
On Rama II Road, four jobs are currently in progress, with the goal of completion in 2024-2025.
The 18.7 km Rama III-Dao Khanong project by the Expressway Authority of Thailand ( Exat ), the 8.3 km elevated road from Bang Khun Thian to Ekkachai at a cost of 10 billion baht, the 16.3 km road from Ekkachai to Ban Phaeo at an expense of 18.7 billion baht, and the elevated road project at Ban Phaeo at a cost of 600 million baht.
According to the cause, the costs associated with assignments completed on Rama II since 1970 have been estimated at 77 billion ringgit.
Between 200, 000 and 250, 000 vehicles travel Rama II Road each morning, and traffic rises 1.5 times during lengthy holidays like Songkran and New Year’s observances.
” Motorists traveling south do n’t have many options because other routes take longer to get to their destinations. The source claimed that those traveling north and northeast have more route choices and that the distance differences are n’t significant.
Prior to now, past governments had allocated more money to the expansion of streets that would lead to other regions rather than the north, and in recent years, money has been allocated for the expansion of road transportation throughout the nation.
a lot of issues
Rama II Road’s large volume of traffic, according to DoH director-general Sarawut Songsivilai, poses challenges for traffic control during development work, creating congestion.
Work on Rama II is moving at a slower speed to improve health and lessen effect on traffic flow, he said, noting that companies can simply work from 9pm to 5am as part of the double protection plan.
The company is speeding up the construction of the eight-lane bridge opposite to Rama IX Bridge but that Rama II Road can be reached in July this year.
The major, which runs from Bang Khun Thian to the beginning of Rama II Road, is anticipated to be finished in June of next year, allowing for a soft travel to the Do H’s raised road along Rama II Road.
Samart Ratchapolsitte, a former deputy governor of Bangkok, claimed in a social media post that continuous development has negatively impacted both areas and travellers, with traffic congestion and fatal accidents delaying many drivers.
He compared the structure of Bang Na- Trat Road, one of the roads to the southeast area, to Rama II Road. Bang Na- Trat Road completed less slowly than Rama II Road despite having similar ground forms, job designs, and parties involved in the construction.
Bang Na-Trat Road, officially known as Theparat Road, was constructed in 1967 and finished in 1969, according to Mr. Samart. It was originally intended to be a two-lane route, but it was later expanded without much trouble for the public.
He claimed that the almost continuous construction of the road and the raised road could cause work delays on Rama II.
The labor on Rama II Road is challenging, according to Associate Professor Sutthisak Sornlum, a professor at Kasetsart University’s executive university. After it is finished, this land could cause the road to sink.
Accents of those affected by difficulties
The effects of the construction along Rama II Road have been subject to public concern.
In recent years, there have been numerous injuries and fatalities.
Janwit Kiamsawad, a vehicle for more than 15 years, shared his thoughts on how his life has changed as a result. This job seems to not end, they say. It causes street closures and traffic congestion. And it has an impact on the entire sector. Due to the customers, I have to make fewer trips.
Waste on the road has recently become a concern. Some days, they drilling a water hole and pour waste onto the road before about 8 to 9 p.m. It leads to accidents, particularly for riders. It’s a bumpy and icy path, he said.
A 46-year-old trader who has lived close to Rama II Road for six years, who requested anonymity, expressed concern that the construction work’s scrap and dust may result in accidents for locals. Some steel fell from the building site, as I learned yesterday. Luckily, no injuries were reported, but they should definitely complete as soon as possible.
Another 30-year-old pilot even brought up the site’s scrap metal and the wastewater problem. I’ve seen material pieces fall a lot of times. As you can see from the media, it has resulted in fatalities. When it rains, they pour the waste onto the highway and drilling into it. There are numerous accidents, and motorcycle riders suffer as a result of the wet conditions.
They actually have a waste vacuum vehicle. But they do n’t use it; instead, they just pour it onto the road, which leads to accidents, he said.
A group of car owners who have been circling Rama II Road have experienced negative effects from the work.
It causes a lot of issues, including traffic jams, sand, loud noises, and wastewater because it is so miserable. On the side of the road, we lately discovered clay that had also been left behind.
And the employees do not properly clean up after themselves. This issue has been bothering me for some time. The more issues arise the longer it takes. The drivers said,” I want them to complete as soon as possible and offer us up the road paths so that life can go back to normal with less traffic.”