“The Ekwanich, Kulwanich and Saksaktawee families have generously provided the land necessary for the project, which aims to alleviate the area’s chronic traffic congestion,” said a report by the Phuket branch of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).
The three families, represented by Sanguan Kulwanich, Kitti Saksaktawee and Nginao Ekvanich, donated the land required to build the new road, which will be 5.6 kilometres long.
Although the donation of the land required was first announced nearly two years ago, Phuket officials marked the formal completion of the donation with an event at Phuket Provincial Hall only last month.
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwanarat has tasked Somkid Chokong, an advisor to the Governor, with leading a survey of the proposed route, which was conducted on Friday (Aug 30).
The inspection team included key representatives from several agencies, such as the Phuket Provincial Public Works and Town & Country Planning Office, Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), Phuket Highways Office, Phuket Provincial Forestry Office, Srisoonthorn Municipality and Kathu Municipality.
The new road is aimed at improving traffic flow between the Kathu and Srisoonthorn, said the PR Phuket report.
“It is also envisioned as a future tourism promotion route, enhancing the appeal of Phuket Province,” the report added.
During the survey, the team identified some challenges, including fallen trees obstructing the route and sections of the road that have deteriorated, the report also noted, while calling the planned route a “bypass”.
“Phuket officials plan to proceed with thorough studies, planning and design to ensure that the road meets modern standards and is environmentally friendly. Once completed, this road is anticipated to become one of the most scenic routes in Phuket, offering both practical and aesthetic benefits to residents and tourists alike,” the report concluded.
LONG TIME COMING
A working group created to see the new road to fruition announced in November last year that surveys and inspections would be conducted, and maps showing land boundaries will be created, in order for the proposed new road joining Kathu and Srisoonthorn to proceed.
At a previous meeting of the working group in March last year, PPAO President Rewat Areerob 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.
In initially announcing the proposed new road in November 2022, 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.