The Transport Ministry plans to upgrade road facilities in Kanchanaburi with a total investment of almost 10 billion baht to accommodate rising tourist numbers and future economic growth.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob revealed details yesterday after attending a meeting to follow up on the progress of major projects in Kanchanaburi carried out by its Highways, Rural Roads, Transport, Marine, and Rail Transport departments.
Mr Saksayam said the development is as per the policy of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in the hope of improving transport capacities via rail, sea, air, and road, as well as connecting routes throughout the country and linking with other countries.
Kanchanaburi has been designated as the West Economic Corridor to spur trade and investment, which will be carried out under six projects, he said.
The construction of a bridge that will cross the junction of Highway Nos. 323, 367 and 3199 and the renovations of Highway 323 (Thong Pha Phum-Sangkhla Buri section) are set to be carried out from 2025-2027 with budgets of 450 million baht and 2.15 billion baht respectively.
For construction during 2026-2028, the building of a bridge crossing the junction of Highways Nos. 323 and 3548 and upgrades of Highways Nos. 3086, 3199 and 3084 each are given budgets of 460 million baht, 3.53 billion baht, 3 billion baht and 340 million baht respectively.
Mr Saksayam also learnt that the construction of the motorway from Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi section has been 84% completed.
Nine out of 25 contracts have already been fulfilled.
The project will be partially opened next year and fully launched by 2024.
The blueprint for the second part of the project from the Kanchanaburi-Ban Phu Nam Ron section was completed in 2019, but it has not yet had its environmental impact assessment (EIA) approved.