Phuket People Back Chalong Circle Underpass: Long Traffic Delays Anticipated
By Phuketwan Reporters Thursday, August 7, 2014
PHUKET: A public meeting on Phuket gave final approval yesterday to a plan for an underpass through Chalong Circle that is likely to increase the length of traffic delays for 30 months.
The third and final public meeting endorsed the 800 million baht underpass that will link Chao Fa Road West from Phuket City and Viset Road heading south to Rawai beneath the five-road circle.
Smaller roads that will be used temporarily to divert traffic during the two-and-a-half year construction period are narrow and there will inevitably be long delays, the gathering at Phuket Merlin Hotel in Phuket City was told.
Governor Maitree Intrusud chaired the meeting.
The project will cost 800 million baht and approval is expected to come in next year's budget, said the manager of the research project, Phuket Roads Department specialist Paisan Suwanarat.
Attempts have previously been made to include a system of traffic lights at the small circle, without success.
It's not know whether the eight-metre width of the underpass takes into account a public transport proposal to run a tramcar service from the Phuket International Airport to Chalong that could possibly extend further south.
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Comments
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Can't understand why they didn't go for Chao Fah East to Viset. It's a straight line.
Chao Fah West to Viset will need a bend in the tunnel. More dangerous and probably more expensive.
Posted by
sir burr
on
August 7, 2014 08:41
Editor Comment:
More traffic flows directly from the bypass road to Chao Fa Road West so they're catering to the major artery. Chao Fa Road East ends in Phuket Town.
I am flabbercasted by all this very expensive underpasses, down which dry roads are not granted during heavy rains. BEFORE to start digging for a underpass at Chalong, first experience a 'operational year' on a completed tunnel near Central festival. The area around Chalong circle is well known for turning roads into rivers with heavy rains. They never able to keep a underpass dry if they already now not able to keep roads dry during rain! What is that, that underpasses are fashion! Make fly-overs, cost of building is 40% cheaper, no problems with watermanagement. Well, watermanagement is not excisting on Phuket anyway. Is it? Many fly-overs in BKK function well.
Posted by
Kurt
on
August 7, 2014 09:10
Before NCPO approves budget for a Chalong circle underpass, NCPO should ask first that the manager of the underpass research project ( Department Specialist Paisan Suwanarat) produce and come with a study about a fly-over construction for Chalong Circle. There is still enough time for that. NCPO can assist Specialist Paisan Sunarawat in this enormous money saving 're-study'.
Posted by
Kurt
on
August 7, 2014 09:28
Coming from Phuket town, Chaofa West road, build a double lane fly-over with 1 lane directing to Rawai, and 1 deviating lane to Patak Road directing Kata.
Safe 300 million thb, and building time will be just 12-14 months ( weather permitting). No digging, no inefficient waterpumpinstallations, etc. NCPO should give that study first a go ahead.
Posted by
Kurt
on
August 7, 2014 10:49
I am not sure if it's part of the army's overhaul or if it's in preparation for the underpass being built, but already many of the buildings on the main road near the circle have been given 7 days (times up tomorrow) to remove any structure that is over the boundry line. In some cases buildings are having to be cut in half because they stick out too far. Others have to remove temporary structures. These are not impeding the walk way but they have encroached on land that is public. My office is on the main road opposite the Chalong police station. Also all signage that overhangs it's being taken down as I write this. I am forced to cut my office space back by two metres.
Posted by
GazB
on
August 7, 2014 11:31
Editor Comment:
Give us back our footpaths, Gaz! There's a shop in Samkong that encroached by simply extending its showroom. forcing pedestrians onto the road. I do hope these people are all dealt with.
When I arrived back from traffic congested Bangkok last week I'd had to endure the added nightmare that is the 'rush hour/s' from Cherng Talay to Rawai. The increase in traffic has grown beyong that which this island can bear and an underpass at Chalong will not help. Bangkok and Phuket should have put more emphasis on public transport years ago. Too late now.
Posted by
jonty
on
August 7, 2014 13:11
Editor Comment:
Bearing in mind that it's the low, slow season, it's probable just as well if the coming high season and perhaps the one after it are not quite such a rush. Phuket may catch up, with luck, and be able to cope a little better.
Could not agree with you more Ed! Whilst none of the shop fronts are interfering with the footpath they make it very difficult to drive a motor bike on the pavement. It is very narrow in places Now if we could make the motorbikes use the road and not the footpath I might live a little longer.
Posted by
GazB
on
August 7, 2014 14:21
Will be much cheaper to buy all houses next to the circle, nock them down and build a bigger and better setup round-bar same as many European cities have done over the last 10 years. This will not cost more than 100 millions THB.
Posted by
Bernard
on
August 7, 2014 14:43
Good news a decision has been made for the underpass at the circle but one thing that troubles me is there's no mention of fixing the road between Chalong circle and the Central underpass.
Posted by
DG
on
August 7, 2014 14:50
Great one advantage will be the Police won't be able to stop people for not having helmets at the circle anymore.
Light humour by FF.
Posted by
Fiesty Farang
on
August 7, 2014 15:13
"It's not known if ...the underpass takes into account a public transport proposal to run a tramcar from the airport to Chalong that could possibly extend further south."
This is an important comment by your reporters. It would be absurd for such an expensive development to be made without taking into account future light rail. Also who are these people so in love with costly, disruptive underpasses in a flood zone? Good time for NCPO to check it out.
Posted by
benvenuto
on
August 7, 2014 15:45
Just for information: Here in Korat, in centre of town known by nickname 'Ya Mo', the pavements have been well cleared of all obstructions & it is possible to walk normally again without recourse to stepping onto the road & risking life & limb.
I wonder of any readers around the country have seen evidence of same, i.e. in Bangkok Sukhumvit for example?
Posted by
Logic
on
August 8, 2014 06:39
Got to agree with Bernard..read someplace that circles or roundabouts are the most efficient traffic management method at intersections. While the heroes monument circle does get a bit congested it seems to work very well. What ever happened to the Patong tunnel set for completion in 2018?
Posted by
david
on
August 8, 2014 07:36
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Can't understand why they didn't go for Chao Fah East to Viset. It's a straight line.
Chao Fah West to Viset will need a bend in the tunnel. More dangerous and probably more expensive.
Posted by sir burr on August 7, 2014 08:41
Editor Comment:
More traffic flows directly from the bypass road to Chao Fa Road West so they're catering to the major artery. Chao Fa Road East ends in Phuket Town.