Project Background
The Bang Yai - Kanchanaburi Intercity Motorway, with route designation M81, is approximately 96-km. long. The route alignment starts where it connects with the western segment of the existing Outer Ring Road (or Kanchanaphisek Road), at Bang Yai District of Nonthaburi Province, and ends at the connection with Highway 324 (Kanchanaburi – Panomtuan Road) in Tha Muang District, Kanchanaburi Province. The systems and facilities provided include 8 units of toll plaza, Central Control Building, Toll Control Building, Weigh Stations, Operation and Maintenance Center, Patrol and Rescue Unit, Service Center, Service Areas, Highway Police Stations, Rest Stops, civil works, all other relevant utilities, etc.
This is one of the flagship projects under Thailand’s Transport Infrastructure Development Strategy. The Cabinet, via a resolution passed on 22 August 2017, has given an approval for the Department of Highways to invite private entrepreneurs to participate in the investment and running of this project on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Gross Cost platform, whereby the private sector party is to finance the system installation of motorway facilities for toll collection and traffic control surveillance system as well as to perform system-wide operation and maintenance services (O&M). After completion of the tendering process, the Selection Committee, under Section 35 of the Private Investment in State Undertaking Act, B.E. 2556, has selected BGSR Consortium as the project contractor.
Along with this, Asian Engineering Consultants Corp., Ltd., MAA Consultants Co., Ltd. and Chotichinda Consultants Co., Ltd., have been employed for construction supervision consultancy services, to ensure that the project will be completed flawlessly in terms of engineering while conforming to the environment, economic and society. This project will not only complement the existing transportation network, providing inter-regional travelers with modern, faster, safer and more convenient means of transportation, but also improve Thailand’s transport and logistics capacities.
Works under the project are divided into 2 phases as follows:
· Phase 1: Design and Build – Commencing on 11[S1] January, 2022; this phase will take 3 years as a maximum.
· Phase 2: Operation and Maintenance of the Project-wide Roads and Systems – With 30 years’ duration, this phase will commence after M81 service is available to the public.
Objectives:
1. To improve road transport in Thailand, making it more effective while keeping pace with modernization and international standards;
2. To increase the nation’s transport capacity by connecting Bangkok with Western and Southern regions of Thailand;
3. To promote tourism and economic development in the country, at a regional level; and
4. To uplift the people’s quality of life by providing them with convenience, rapidity and safety in travelling across regions.