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OVER THE TOP Bypass traffic plan slammed
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Villagers veto fuel station
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hree proposed designs for an overpass to alleviate traffic jams at the north end of the bypass road will face staunch opposition from the local tourism industry, who have labelled the plan an “eyesore”. At a public meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday, Kasame Sriwarana, a civil engineer in the Highways Department explained the overpass would relieve traffic congestion. Three schemes were proposed: a “Y-ty pe” scheme with a tri-directional overpass above the intersection, a “Trumpettype” scheme with two loop ramps on the east side of the intersection, and a straight overpass taking through traffic from the north into Sapam. “These are the three common types of overpass that have been used in Thailand,” Kaweerat Deeprasertwong, the overpass project manager said. However, the feedback from local tourism busi-
nesses was generally negative; most were worried that a massive concrete construction would damage Phuket’s image. “This huge construction will be an eyesore,” said Sarayut Mallam, Vice President of the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA). “These may be the three most common types of overpass in Thailand, but we don’t think any of them suits Phuket at all. Phuket doesn’t need overpasss sprouting from the ground. We’re sure that visitors don’t expect to see that sort of thing here.” Others quailed at the thought of two years of dust and noise while the overpass is built. Bhuritt Maswongssa, another Vice President of the PTA, pointed that only one overpass wouldn’t totally relieve traffic problems. “I want to see the Highways Department looking
Woman jumps from burning building at a total solution for the entire system. Instead of just building overpasses, why don’t we look at making each high-density area more accessible?” he asked. Vichit Na Ranong, managing director of the Pearl Group and a former president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, described the project as “an achievement that will bring failure”. He also pointed out that a overpass would leave no space for the much-desired light rail system. “An underpass would be a better solution,” Mr Sarayut suggested. The Department’s engineers said underground construction would block existing water drainage, which might cause floods in the future. Continued on page 2
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The overpass plan aims to relieve rush-hour traffic at the Bang Khu intersection.
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