Thailand's Deputy Transport Minister Pushes for Double-Deck Expressway to Ease Congestion

Key summary

Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkulsakul stated that the government is advancing a double-deck expressway project between Phahonyothin Road and Rama 9. The initiative aims to reduce travel time by up to 30 minutes, lower toll fees to no more than 50 baht from the current 90 baht, and save state budget expenditure. The project involves negotiating with BEM (Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited) to construct the facility in exchange for extending the concession period by 22 years and 5 months beyond the original expiry in 2035. The 20.09-kilometer route currently carries over 1.6 million vehicles daily, exceeding the original capacity of 600,000 vehicles.