As the bustling city of Bangkok was greeted by the first light of Thursday, an air of anticipation filled the atmosphere. The much-awaited reopening of the inbound Dao Khanong toll plaza for the Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressway finally took place at the crack of dawn, precisely at 6 a.m. Motorists, relieved to see the debris from last Saturday’s unfortunate expressway bridge collapse cleared away, eagerly traversed the now unobstructed pathways. Workers had toiled tirelessly, not just in the removal of debris, but also in restoring the tarmac and repainting lane markings to ensure a smooth reopening.
The excitement, however, was tinged with a necessity for caution. The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) announced that the exuberance of daytime access would be replaceable with a temporary void each night. From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., the inbound toll plaza would succumb to closure to make way for the ambitious construction endeavor of the elevated Rama III-Dao Khanong-Western Bangkok Outer Ring Road expressway project. The nocturnal silence of construction would continue its canvas until the masterpiece was complete.
The tragic incident of the past week had left its mark when a colossal cross beam gave way during construction, claiming the lives of six workers. An air of somber reflection lingered amidst the reopening festivities. On Thursday morning, an impeccable flow of traffic greeted the patience of Bangkok’s commuters, a respite possibly attributed to the ongoing school holiday, as noted by Pol Maj Gen Thawat Wongsa-nga, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
Yet, while inbound traffic found its lifeline, outbound challenges loomed like a storm cloud on the horizon. The collapsed cross beam had obliterated access to the elevated outbound ramp of the Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressway, a vital passage connecting to Rama II Road—the highway threading its way from Bangkok to the South. Pol Maj Gen Thawat painted a poignant picture of a convoy of outbound motorists rerouted towards Suksawat Road, where stop-start traffic fatigue battled against the evening sun’s resignation.
In line with these vicissitudes, Exat’s governor, Surachet Laophulsuk, expressed shared concern. He vowed, with an air of determination, to prioritize repairs on the outbound ramp—a feat he ambitively projected to conquer within a month. An underpinning of urgency resonated as he endeavored to set forth a complaint against the responsible contractor. Accountability, it seemed, traversed its own lane in the bureaucratic expressway.
This intricate web unraveled around the third contract held by the ITD-VCB joint venture for the Rama III-Dao Khanong-Western Outer Ring Road expressway project. Comprising stalwarts like Italian-Thai Development Plc and Vijitphan Construction, this coalition had entrusted the execution of work to Asian Engineering Consultants Ltd, Chotichinda Consultants Ltd, and MAA Consultants Ltd. A community bound by contracts, obligations, and an inevitable date with introspection.
As Bangkok continues its journey, the pulse of the city courses through its roadways, weaving stories of anticipation, frustration, and hope into the tapestry of urban life. The Dao Khanong toll plaza stands not only as a point of fray and repair but as a testament to the city’s spirit—the indomitable human desire to reconstruct and progress while remembering those who’ve paved the way to the present moment.
I think it’s irresponsible to reopen the expressway so soon after such a tragic accident.
Totally agree, safety should be the top priority, not speed.
While safety is crucial, the city also needs functional infrastructure. Balance is key.
But delays can also cause lots of issues, especially for commuters who rely on this road daily.
I still believe it’s important to ensure everything is truly safe before moving forward.
I’m thankful they completed the repairs quickly. It’s inconvenient for some, but essential for many.
People don’t understand how complex construction can be. Sometimes things go wrong unexpectedly.
Unexpected doesn’t mean unavoidable. Safety protocols should be foolproof.
Agreed, there’s always room for improvement in planning and execution.
True, accidents happen everywhere. It’s sad, but part of large-scale projects.
Does anyone have insight if Italian-Thai Development has a history of such failures?
They’ve had a few hiccups in the past but so do most big construction companies.
Why do they close it every night? Can’t they work without closing the entire toll plaza?
I’m guessing it’s safety over convenience. Nighttime work means fewer commuters at risk.
As a local police officer, this has been a logistical nightmare. Kudos to all the forces managing the traffic.
The rapid reopening is impressive, but as a mother, I worry about the future safety standards.
It’s a shame, but expect delays in major projects. Always happens when they mess up.
Let’s give them some credit; at least they’re addressing it fairly quickly.
Does anyone know about the compensation for the families of the deceased?
Rerouting outbound traffic must be a huge pain. Anyone else experiencing worse commutes?
I’ve been stuck in traffic for hours, it’s really tiresome.
Hopefully, they’ll find a way to make the detours more manageable soon.
Even after reopening, how many of us feel safe using the expressway? Not me!
I think it’s great the city is projecting to fix it in a month. Any delay would increase anxiety.
As long as they prioritize safety over speed, I’ll be okay with it.
When will Bangkok learn from such incidents? Accountability matters!
I was just visiting Bangkok, and the diversions ruined my tourist plans!
Let’s not forget the environmental impacts of constant construction. It’s never-ending here.