The meeting, held at The Pago Design Hotel in Phuket Town, reviewed the economic, engineering and environmental viability of the proposed 10.6km route. All feedback will now be used to complete the study, which will be forwarded for design and budget consideration.
Despite the expansion of Route 4027, which circles through Pa Khlok, traffic continues to choke at the Heroines Monument, where both Route 402 (Thepkrsattri Rd) and Route 4027 converge, explained Phuket Highways Chief Somkit Kittisophit.
The project is also aimed at easing severe congestion at the Koh Kaew Intersection.
Mr Somkit said a new route was essential. “Phuket’s rapid growth in tourism, trade and investment has pushed our main roads beyond capacity,” he said.
Consultants have been commissioned to map the route and conduct public consultations. Firms involved include Asian Engineering Consultants Co Ltd, Chotijinda Consultant Co Ltd and Consultants of Technology Co Ltd.
The proposed route begins near the PTT gas station on Route 4027 in Pa Khlok and ends at Phra Phuket Kaew Rd in Kathu
It passes through Pa Khlok, Srisoonthorn and Kathu, as well as four subdistricts.
The road will follow existing local routes, run near residential areas including Baan Udomsuk and Supalai Bella Village, and is intended to eventually connect to the Koh Kaew–Kathu expressway when that is built.
A key feature is a two-lane, 13-metre-wide elevated bridge, or flyover, over Thepkrasattri Rd near the Supalai Bella estate at northern end of Koh Kaew.
Senior Civil Engineer Sawitree Sripayak said the study also considered safety, environmental impacts, and long-term development goals.
Concerns raised at earlier hearings about the elevated bridge’s effect on local communities were addressed at the meeting.
Officials stressed the final study will include all stakeholder feedback. Once approved, the project will move to the design and funding stage.