The strong support for the project was voiced at a public hearing held in Srisoonthorn on Thursday (July 31), Mayor Chalermpol said.
The public hearing was presided over by Thalang District Chief Rachen Songdaeng, joined by Phuket Highways Office Deputy Director Sanakorn Thapthimthongsuk, Mayor Chalermpol, other officials and local residents.
According to the Department of Highways, the upgraded highway will connect more efficiently to other major routes, improve convenience and safety for both private vehicles and freight trucks, reduce congestion in high-traffic areas and lower the risk of accidents.
“The project is currently in the design survey phase. The B420mn budget covers a 5.95km stretch from the Heroines Monument to the Cherng Talay Intersection [at Cherng Talay Police Station].
“The upgrade aims to repair and improve the existing damaged road, fix drainage issues and enhance traffic to better accommodate growing vehicle numbers,” Mayor Chalermpol said.
Work is expected to start this December and take about three years to complete.
“After the public hearing, most attendees agreed and expressed support for the project, expecting it to proceed smoothly. The work will not involve new land clearing or create new roads, but will focus on repairing the existing road, improving drainage and upgrading traffic engineering,” Mayor Chalermpol noted.
Mayor Chalermpol noted the road has not seen major improvements in over a decade and has suffered from repeated digging and poor resurfacing, particularly by the waterworks authority near Baan Manik School and Wat Manik.
“Since COVID-19, the waterworks main lines have already been rerouted and improved, so this redevelopment should go smoothly, and I hope there will be no need for further repairs,” he said.