Exat Clears Collapsed Bridge, Reopens Inbound Lane on Rama II Road
The inbound lane to the expressway on Rama II Road, which was impacted by the collapse of a nearby bridge project on Saturday, is expected to reopen by Thursday, according to the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat).
The collapse, which occurred on Saturday, involved a concrete beam under construction near the expressway entrance that fell onto the main structure, tragically killing six people and injuring at least 22. Demolition work to clear the debris from the collapsed bridge is now 90% complete. The contractor, Italian-Thai Development (ITD), has committed to compensating the victims of the incident.
Engineers and experts have been working to clear the damaged steel structures at the Dao Khanong-Rama III expressway construction site. As of now, 95% of the debris has been removed. Exat governor Surachet Laophulsuk confirmed on Tuesday that the road will be repaired once the site is cleared, with the inbound lane expected to reopen by tomorrow.
For the outbound Dao Khanong expressway section, significant damage occurred, and experts are using excavators to break up the collapsed structures and clear the area. Demolition of the damaged concrete is nearly finished, and temporary detour lanes around the Dao Khanong toll checkpoint were opened on Monday to alleviate traffic.
Exat is working swiftly to restore the inbound lane for the convenience of the public while ensuring strict safety measures are in place during the removal of debris.
In a statement, Woravudh Hiranyapaisansakul, secretary of ITD, said the company had submitted an official report to the Stock Exchange of Thailand about the incident. ITD expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and those injured, apologizing for the inconvenience caused to travelers on the Chaloem Maha Nakhon Expressway. As a representative of the ITD-VCB joint venture, the company has pledged to take responsibility for compensating and assisting those affected.
ITD is working with relevant parties, including project owners, engineering consultants, government agencies, and insurance companies, to assess the full scope of the damage. The construction project is covered by insurance, which includes coverage for construction works, Exat assets, and third-party liability.
Additionally, Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director-general of the Comptroller General’s Department, announced that a proposal to improve the evaluation of contractors is in the works.
