A proposed bridge across the Chao Phraya River designed to ease traffic congestion around the new parliament complex has given the project the green light.

A committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon approved the Kiakkai bridge project, adjacent to the complex.

Maj Gen Patchasak Patirupanont, his assistant spokesman, said the bridge is necessary as the existing ones can accommodate only 30,000 vehicles per hour compared with a likely traffic volume of 36,000 vehicles per hour.

He said the bridge, which will be the city's 11th across the river, had been proposed by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) following a feasibility study and public input from stakeholders.

The bridge design takes into account the view from the parliament complex and the environmental impacts, he said.

The Kiakkai bridge project is one of eight infrastructure projects to address traffic problems near the complex, which has increased traffic volumes in the area, according to Maj Gen Patchasak.

He said Gen Prawit has also asked the BMA to submit the project to the prime minister.

Designed to be a part of a 5.9km link that would require a budget of up to 16 billion baht, the BMA's Kiakkai bridge project faced fierce opposition from architects and scholars who considered it an eyesore when it was proposed in April 2018.

Critics also argued the bridge would become redundant in light of the electric rail system development in the Kiakkai area.

 

 

 

Bangkok Post