Building a light railroad instead o

Building a light railroad instead of the third-phase expressway would not be worth the investment due to possible problems with securing land rights, not to mention the high cost, The Nation reports.

Citing the preliminary study on alternatives to the phase-three expressway project, Deputy Transport Minister Prin Suwanatat said on May 13 that there might be difficulty in expropriating land in the Kae Rai area and the estimated cost of land reclamation was high at Bt40 billion.

The ministry had planned to build the 42.9-kilometre third phase of the expressway but the project ran into opposition from Kasetsart University.

The ministry has also asked the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) to study changing the project's route, which was aimed at connecting Bangkok's east and west sides, to run parallel with Rangsit Prayoonsak Canal along Rangsit Road.

Exat governor Aiyanat Tinarpai said it was too early to choose between the two options.

Exat will have to consult with the Highways Department and the Irrigation Department for guidelines and construction feasibility.

Chachawan Boonchareonkij, director-general of the Highways Department, said the department plans to extend Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Road and the elevated expressway to the East-West Ring Road. A project consultant would be engaged to conduct a feasibility study for this project, which should be completed by late next year.

As for Exat's plan to shift the Ph3 expressway route to Rangsit Prayoonsak Canal, which may overlap with the Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok expansion project, the department will have to meet with other state agencies on this matter soon. The Transport Ministry will have the final say on this matter.

A ministry source said the Ph3 expressway route should not overlap with the existing highway as expressways depend on tolls to justify their huge investment.

Exat may have to review the Cabinet's resolution that specified that the scope and route of the Ph3 expressway should be in the city, as the capital's outskirts and surrounding areas are under the responsibility of the Highways Department.