PHUKET: The Patong Hill Tunnel is the only major project on Phuket that has been approved and fully funded, a public meeting heard yesterday.
The meeting, attended by the Transport Minister, Jarupong Rungsuwan, assessed projects across the southern provinces.
On Phuket, the tunnel will probably include a tollway along the 3.8 kilometre route to recoup the six billion baht outlay.
One billion baht of that will be spent on compulsory purchases of the land involved, the meeting heard.
Patong Mayor Pian Keesin reckons that 34,000 vehicles currently go across the hill both ways. he believes a tunnel will be a much safer option.
Motorcycles are likely to have their own ''tunnel'' under the project, separated from larger vehicles.
The tunnel would also provide an alternative escape route in a tsunami alert, the meeting heard.
There's no budget as yet for the rail or light rail link planned between Surat Thani and Phang Nga-Phuket.
Still being looked at is the Andaman Sea-Gulf of Thailand land bridge, which will ultimately link both Thai coasts along 142 kilometres at a cost of 42,782 million baht over five to seven years.
The meeting, attended by the Transport Minister, Jarupong Rungsuwan, assessed projects across the southern provinces.
On Phuket, the tunnel will probably include a tollway along the 3.8 kilometre route to recoup the six billion baht outlay.
One billion baht of that will be spent on compulsory purchases of the land involved, the meeting heard.
Patong Mayor Pian Keesin reckons that 34,000 vehicles currently go across the hill both ways. he believes a tunnel will be a much safer option.
Motorcycles are likely to have their own ''tunnel'' under the project, separated from larger vehicles.
The tunnel would also provide an alternative escape route in a tsunami alert, the meeting heard.
There's no budget as yet for the rail or light rail link planned between Surat Thani and Phang Nga-Phuket.
Still being looked at is the Andaman Sea-Gulf of Thailand land bridge, which will ultimately link both Thai coasts along 142 kilometres at a cost of 42,782 million baht over five to seven years.
mmm let me think, going over the hill is free, use the tunnel and I pay, given most will not want to pay, is there a likihood the tunnel could become a white elephant, as for it being a "safer" option, safer than what, still have the same idiotic driving, still have buses catching fire, and in a tunnel.
Posted by dbate_me on October 6, 2012 16:09