A giant new underground tunnel which promises much faster flood water drainage in Bangkok, expected to be complete early next year, will help six flood-prone areas of the capital, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra says.
The construction of the 6.4-km tunnel, linking Lat Phrao canal and the Chao Phraya River, is now more than 46% complete. The work is currently ahead of schedule and, with this progress, residents and motorists on crowded streets will breathe a sigh of relief when the tunnel helps to solve flooding problems, he said.
The tunnel, which can carry water to the river at a rate of 60 cu/m a second, will improve the drainage speed which is currently slow due to the city’s smaller sewers which cannot effectively deal with rainwater of more than 60 millimetres per hour.
Once the 2.4-billion-baht tunnel, which will be laid under the Bang Sue canal, is completed, six flood-prone areas covering 56 sq/km will benefit, MR Sukhumbhand said.
They are a section of Phahon Yothin Road from the Saphan Kwai to Lat Phrao intersections, a section of Vibhavadi Rangsit Road from the Sutthisan to Lat Phrao intersections, a section of Ratchadaphisek Road from the Ratchayothin intersection to Bang Sue canal, a section of Lat Phrao Road from Ratchada-Lat Phrao intersection to Bang Sue canal, a section of Kamphaeng Phet Road from an area under Si Rat Expressway to Chatuchak weekend market, and part of Sam Sen Road from Bang Krabue canal.