According to the Department of Highways, the new M81 road has gained popularity among drivers during the New Year‘s Day free trial and has been helpful in reducing traveling time and easing traffic on the southern- and west-bound highways.
During the trial, which ran from Dec 26 until Jan 2, the 96km road stretching between Bang Yai region in Nonthaburi and Tha Muang region in Kanchanaburi, served a full of 276, 316 cars on the Bang Yai-Nakhon Pathom area, and 219, 181 cars on the Nakhon Pathom-Kanchanaburi area, said Apirat Chaiwongnoi, director-general of the department.
Given what is stated above, the road significantly reduced traffic on the Phetkasem Road section, which is also known as Highway No. 4, in Nakhon Pathom’s Nakhon Chaisi area and 43 % on the portion of Highway No. 323 in Tha Muang city of Kanchanaburi, Mr Apirat said.
Overall, he claimed, the M81 road eased traffic on the major roads connecting Bangkok and the surrounding provinces, particularly Nakhon Pathom and Kanchanaburi, and saved a lot of time while traveling.
According to him, these regions serve as the gate to regions that are renowned as important tourist destinations like Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, and Prachuap Khiri Khan.
The test demonstrated the M81’s ability to handle large traffic and comfortable traffic on important highways like Phetkasem Road, the main street leading to the South, he said.
Due to its standard opening, expected later this year, the M81 motorway’s 51km northern Nakhon Pathom-Kanchanaburi section does available for free trials on weekends, starting next Friday, until further notice, he said.