The proposals include several measures that will directly affect traffic, including closing U-turn points north and south of the Heroines Monument, and re-regulating the times during which U-turns can be made at the Koh Kaew Intersection.
The proposals were raised at a meeting at the Phuket Highways Office yesterday (July 12) aimed at addressing the trial closure of several intersections in preparation for the construction project.
Phuket Vice Governor Srattha Thongkham chaired the meeting, with Ratchasak Sutthinuon, Director of Department of Highways Region 17 office, and Phuket Highways Office Chief Yuthana Pitak present, along with a host of other government officials, private sector representatives and local residents.
The meeting aimed to gather opinions from various stakeholders on the proposals.
The Phuket Highways Office will compile the feedback to develop an action plan for managing traffic congestion during the construction period from October 2024 to April 2027, said an official report of the meeting.
Initial measures discussed included closing U-turns 10 and 11 (the U-turns immediately north and south of the Heroines Monument) and closing the U-turn at the Koh Kaew Intersection on weekdays from 4pm-7pm and weekends from 1pm to 7pm.
Other proposals included converting U-turn 9 (currently the second U-turn point north of the Heroines Monument) into a small roundabout and closing U-turn 12 (the U-turn immediately north of the Koh Kaew Intersection), as well as constructing a new U-turn at the “Yi Teng intersection” and adjusting traffic lanes at the Bang Khu Intersection.
The proposals will be reviewed in a follow-up meeting before being presented to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat for implementation.
“The outcome of the measures will be communicated by the Phuket Provincial Public Relations Office and local media to ensure that all sectors cooperate and support the traffic management plan for the benefit of the public,” said the official report of the meeting.
During his visit to Phuket on July 5, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said that while waiting for the completion of the Heroines Underpass, short-term measures would be implemented, including blocking certain sections to speed up traffic and expanding city roads to distribute vehicles more efficiently.
PM Srettha expressed confidence that these measures would significantly reduce traffic in Phuket in the short and long term.
“We understand that this road, with its numerous traffic lights, roundabouts, and U-turn points, causes significant delays. We have implemented short-term measures to speed up traffic flow and plan to expand the city’s road network," the PM said.