The Transport Ministry has instructed the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) to incorporate a specifically designated lane for motorcycles within the traffic tunnel of the Kathu-Patong expressway project in Phuket.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit mentioned that the 3.98km expressway will include an elevated four-lane road and a 1.85km traffic tunnel passing through Nak Kerd Hill. This expressway will link up with Highway 4029 in tambon Kathu, estimated at a value of around 16.19 billion baht.
Mr. Suriya stated that Exat board members agreed in November to place the project’s civil works under the authority, encompassing operations and maintenance for the 30km second phase of the project connecting Muang Mai to Koh Kaew and Kathu.
Moreover, the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning highlighted safety concerns regarding the shared use of the expressway’s traffic tunnel by both cars and motorcycles, raising the potential for increased road accidents.
To address this issue, the Transport Ministry has directed Exat to allot a lane specifically for motorcycles and reduce the vehicle lanes within the tunnel from four to two. The designated motorcycle lane is expected to be approximately 5 meters wide.
