Traffic jams on Rama II Road blamed for Hua Hin's decline

[Big Boy]

Wow!!!, I came that way last night - I missed it by a couple of hours.

They still close the main carriageways at night, so no danger of bridges collapsing on the traffic, but still 5 deaths is not a very good statistic.

I had a good look at the progress they were making, and I personally can't see any way this project will finish this year.

[buksida]

Likewise, traffic was horrific going into Bangkok on Thursday on that stretch, and it looks like work has ground to a halt. Whats another decade added on to a road project?!

[Big Boy]

I think its a safety (not for the expendable workforce obviously) issue. The carriageways are closed each night, and have been since the first bridge collapse. That is when the work takes place.

[PeteC]

I think this country needs an entire new group of head highway engineers.

Khaosod English

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) announced the temporary closure of entry and exit ramps of the Chalerm Mahanakorn Expressway due to the collapse of a structure under construction in front of the Dao Khanong toll plaza, in the construction area of the Rama 3 - Dao Khanong - Western Outer Ring Road Expressway Project, Contract 3.

They advised motorists wishing to access the expressway to enter the city to drive toward Bang Pakaew Intersection and use Suksawat Road to access the Suksawat toll plaza instead. Motorists traveling toward Samut Sakhon via Rama 9 Bridge should exit at Suksawat Road to reach Rama 2 Road.

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[GroveHillWanderer]

The latest article I read put the death toll at 7 and 30 still being searched for, trapped under the rubble (so the death toll could rise further).

Seven killed as Dao Khanong Expressway Bridge collapses on Rama II Road

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand ... k/40047438

I can't help but think that the government putting pressure on the contractors to finish by the end of this year no matter what, could be a contributory factor in all these accidents.

[PeteC]

More coverage and photos:

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ama-2-road

[Big Boy]

A few interesting facts:

Notable accidents on Rama II Road

August 9, 2020: Two vehicles fell into a construction pit in Samut Sakhon because of inadequate warnings.

August 21, 2021: A worker fell to his death while installing a bridge beam.

July 17, 2022: Falling construction materials damaged vehicles and injured three people.

July 22, 2022: Cracks on an elevated bridge needed two weeks of repair work.

July 31, 2022: A U-turn bridge collapsed, killing two and injuring two others.

Mar 7, 2023: A crane toppled while lifting a backhoe.

May 7, 2023: A beam fell, killing one worker and damaging four vehicles.

November 29, 2024: A gantry crane and concrete segment collapsed during the M82 elevated highway project, resulting in multiple casualties.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand ... tFMawXiSyA

[PeteC]

You really couldn't make this stuff up!

Khaosod English

A pedestrian overpass near Talad Thai Market on Rama 2 Road where users have to duck to cross them due to an elevated expressway limiting its height to one metre at the point where the two structures meet has been barred from entry on Monday after complaints were made due to possible danger. The authorities will build a new overpass to replace the controversial one.

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The Nation Thailand

Concerns have arisen over a pedestrian overpass near Talay Thai Market on Rama 2 Road in Samut Sakhon, where an elevated expressway under construction has left only a one-meter clearance. Pedestrians must duck to cross, leading to questions about whether the overpass will be modified, demolished, or left unchanged.

On Sunday, reporters visited the site and spoke with the Mahachai Highway Maintenance Unit. Officials clarified that once the elevated road installation is complete, the current overpass will be replaced with a new steel structure. This design, thinner than concrete, will increase the clearance, allowing pedestrians to cross safely without obstruction.

For now, the existing overpass remains in temporary use to minimize public inconvenience. The replacement process will begin once this section of the elevated road construction is finished.

[Gregjam]

Used Rama2 very early this morning to go to the airport and very light traffic. Was dropped off just after five and the car was home by eight thirty so no traffic issues the other way.

[PeteC]

We should hold a lottery to guess how many incidents by the time this thing is completed.

Crane falls from Rama II expressway, injures one

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... njures-one. (Photos)

SAMUT SAKHON — A six-wheeler crane fell from an under-construction expressway on Rama II Road onto a moving pickup truck, injuring the driver early on Friday.

Police and emergency responders were called to the incident on the Bang Khunthian-Ban Phaeo section of the M82 inter-city motorway in tambon Na Di, Muang district, at 2.45am................

[Big Boy]

The first lottery is to name the day 'this year' that the roadworks will complete

[Big Boy]

Just a thought, but these cranes fall at a fairly regular rate - I wonder how much one costs, and is it an insurance ploy to replace ageing stock.

[2dandan]

An interesting footnote on PeteC’s post and on his link to the Bangkok Post article is the final paragraph……

“According to the Department of Highways, from 2018 to March 15 this year, there have been over 2,500 accidents on Rama II Road from km 0 to km 84, resulting in 144 deaths and 1,440 injuries.”

Pretty awful statistics.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... njures-one.

[PeteC]

This is becoming ordinary and usual now !

Another accident as concrete chunks fall from Rama 2 expressway. (Photos)

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... expressway

SAMUT SAKHON - Chunks of concrete fell from an overhead beam onto a pickup truck, severely injuring the driver, beneath the expressway being built above Rama 2 Road, on Tuesday morning.............

[Green Nomad]

This is so bad now that I am considering using the alternative route via Nakhom Pathom. Has anyone also thought about it or even used that route? With the heavy traffic sometimes heading towards the Praew Pradang junction from Samut Sakhon I wonder on the time difference.