The meeting of the working group, chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan, met at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Nov 1).
Suggestions on guidelines and measures to strengthen cooperation between government and private agencies through the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) were discussed, said an official report of the meeting.
The PPAO has become the focal-point agency for coordinating efforts to create the new road. Present yesterday was PPAO President Rewat Areerob along with Srisoonthorn Mayor Chalermpol Kerdsup and Nimit Ekwanich, Chairman of the Wichit Municipality Council. Also present to advise on legal matters was Phuket Provincial Prosecutor Vikrom Komoltri.
Three families, represented by Sanguan Kulwanich, Kitti Saksaktawee and Nginao Ekvanich, are willing to donate the land required to build the new road, which will be 5.6 kilometres long.
At a previous meeting of the working group in March, Mr Rewat explained that the road is to be 12 metres wide. It will start near the Phuket Mining Museum in Kathu and cross the hills in the heart of the island to connect with the east side of Bang Neow Dam reservoir in Baan Manik, Srisoonthorn.
The aim of the road is to reduce traffic congestion along Thepkrasattri Rd, the main traffic artery down the centre of the island, and provide an alternative route for people traveling to Phuket airport.
In announcing the proposed new road in November last year, Mr Nimit said, “The private sector wants to expand transportation routes by having a new road between Kathu and Srisoonthorn to solve traffic problems, which in Phuket is a big problem that affects tourism due to the low number of transportation routes.
“Land for construction of new roads is limited and expensive, while mobility and traffic safety are essential. For example, during the widespread floods in October, there were landslides and roads were cut off. People were unable to travel to other areas, resulting in significant damage to the provincial economy,” he added.