As overhead lines go underground, traffic chaos likely (Updated)

It is unclear how much influence Bill Gate's Facebook photo had on their decision, but authorities have begun the first phase (Ratchawithi Road) of putting 127 kilometres of overhead power lines and cables underground. Motorists have been warned of possible traffic congestion in the area.

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Saturday update

Motorists warned over wiring chaos

Victory Monument 'should be avoided'

Nattaya Chetchotiros 
Supoj Wancharoen

Bangkok motorists are being urged to avoid roads around Victory Monument as construction work to replace overhead power lines with underground cables along both sides of Ratchawithi Road   begins.

Authorities concerned are closing one in-bound and out-bound lane along the 400-metre stretch from Tuek Chai intersection to the Victory Monument to facilitate the work which is part of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority's (MEA) programme to put 127.3km of overhead power lines underground.

The work of digging ditches and installing lines and conduits on Ratchawithi Road is scheduled to last 43 days and it is unlikely to finish before Aug 15.

According Pol Lt Col Bowornpop Sunthornrekha, deputy traffic superintendent at Phaya Thai police station, on weekdays the designated traffic lanes will be closed from 10pm to 5am.

The two lanes will closed around-the-clock on weekends. During 9am to 3pm on weekdays construction will take up only 40cm of road space to minimise the impact.

However, traffic woes are widely anticipated around Victory Monument which usually encounters bottlenecks. Ratchawithi road houses several state agencies including three state-run hospitals.

Chan Patamawipark, director of MEA's communications division, yesterday asked motorists to be patient in the event of traffic congestion and any inconvenience that may be incurred during the construction work.

He said when the construction work is complete, the MEA will need to suspend the power supply from time to time. The agency will inform those who may be affected by the power disruption schedules in advance.

He said after the work on Ratchawithi Road is complete, the MEA will move to Nonsi Road, Narathiwatratchanakharin Road and Rama III Road, all of which are slated for development next year.

Mr Chan said laying wires underground costs the MEA 10 times more than it does installing them above-ground; but it is necessary to maintain the MEA's power efficiency, he said.

Earlier story

It's official: Overhead lines to go underground

Komsan Tortermvasana
Yuthana Praiwan

After a decade of delay, the authorities are finally embarking on a 51.7-billion-baht programme to put 127 kilometres of overhead power lines and cables underground.

The first phase of the plan, grouping all existing overhead power, telecommunications and broadcasting cables into a single platform below ground at 39 roads in Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Nonthaburi, is scheduled to be completed in 2020 – five years ahead of the original schedule.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged all related state agencies to speed up the first phase in order to serve the digital economy initiative.

Microsoft founder Bill Gates recently posted a picture on social media of the clutter of overhead power cables in Thailand.

Bangkok commuters are used to walking next to a ugly wall of cables like this one, but many feel uneasy about it. PATIPAT JANTHONG

Grisada Boonrach, chairman of the board of directors at the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA), said his agency would take charge of replacing all existing overhead power lines with underground lines, requiring an investment of 48.7 billion baht.

TOT Plc, meanwhile, will take responsibility for constructing an underground system worth 3 billion baht, and grouping all existing telecom and broadcasting cables into a single platform.

The MEA yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of the project with TOT, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Royal Thai Police.

Mr Grisada said the MEA will take responsibility for the construction of an electrical power distribution system to ensure sufficient electricity supply and a safe and reliable electricity network to the public.

The BMA, meanwhile, will manage and address all problems that may affect people during the underground construction. The Royal Thai Police will help manage and facilitate traffic.

You can read the full story here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1023333/after-bill-gates-post-state-moves-on-cable-eyesore

Look here for the story on Bill Gate's Facebook posting: http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/advanced/1021318/tangled-overhead-wires-of-bangkok-bill-gates-concerned

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