Bangkok: Starting today, the main road surface of M82 Section 7 will be fully restored (100%) during the daytime. The Department of Highways is ready to fully restore the road surface of the M82 main highway, section 7 (Rama 2), during daytime hours starting today. The report indicates that 19 km of the project is complete, and the department affirms that work is being expedited while maintaining the highest safety standards.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Piyapong Chiwatnakulpaisan, Director-General of the Department of Highways, revealed the latest progress on the construction of the Bang Khun Thian - Ban Phaeo Intercity Highway No. 82 (M82), particularly Section 7, the bridge over the Tha Chin River. He stated that the demolition of the damaged beams caused by the LG crane collapse and the removal of the temporary scaffolding for the bridge balance cantilever work have been completed. The Department of Highways is therefore ready to restore 100% traffic flow on the main Rama 2 Road, both inbound and outbound, with three lanes in each direction, during daytime hours from 5:30 AM to 8:00 PM. This is to alleviate traffic congestion and minimize the impact on public travel. Officials have arranged barriers and cleaned the road surface, ensuring full traffic flow will resume from Monday onwards.
During nighttime hours, from 8:00 PM to 5:30 AM, traffic diversions in the main lanes will still be necessary due to the need to use the work area on the Tha Chin River bridge to dismantle the remaining form traveler structure and to carry out additional detour improvements in the median area between km 30 and km 30+500. This is to expand the road surface to accommodate the closure of the main lanes as a safety measure at the construction site and to conduct structural strength tests (load tests) in preparation for the installation of the remaining precast concrete segments in the next step. If traffic diversions are to be implemented again during the daytime for segment installation, the Department of Highways will announce this in advance.
Regarding the overall M82 project, the Bang Khun Thian - Ban Phaeo section, totaling 24.6 kilometers, is progressing well. Of the 13 sections divided into four, nine, totaling approximately 19.13 kilometers, have been completed. Only four sections-sections 4, 5, 6, and 7, totaling approximately 5.47 kilometers, remain under construction. Sections 5 and 6 currently have an average cumulative progress of 96% and 89%, respectively. The remaining work mainly involves structural detailing and safety equipment installation, which is expected to be completed in the near future, in line with the previous sections.
However, in section 4, it is still necessary to close and divert traffic at some points for the safety of road users because precast concrete segments are being installed as part of the plan. The goal is to restore the road surface on Rama 2 Road so that people can travel smoothly before the upcoming Songkran festival.
While section 7 has temporarily restored the surface of Rama 2 Road during the daytime, there is still a small amount of remaining segment installation work needed on the elevated structure. This needs to be completed. Currently, a detailed load test is underway to assess the structural strength and safety standards, along with preparations for traffic diversions, before proceeding with the installation of the remaining segments.
The Department of Highways confirms its readiness to manage traffic during the remaining construction phase efficiently and safely for road users. Contractors have been instructed to strictly enforce safety measures 24 hours a day, and construction will be expedited to completion as soon as possible to restore convenience for residents of Rama 2 and all road users.