The Department of Highways (DOH) has announced a construction tender valued at 400 million baht for a new parallel road segment along Rama II Road, aiming to address persistent congestion and improve traffic flow. The project will span from kilometer marker 39+000 to 40+050 in Mueang District, Samut Sakhon Province. Construction is set to begin in 2025 and is expected to be completed by 2027.
The plan involves building a 1.05-kilometer parallel road to the main Rama II route. It will feature a six-lane configuration, with each lane measuring 3.5 meters in width and shoulders of 0.5 meters on either side. Additionally, four new bridges crossing local canals will be constructed, along with four U-turn points beneath the bridges. The design also includes installation of lighting along the road. The construction period is projected to last 780 days, or approximately 26 months.
Rama II Road, officially Highway No. 35, serves as a vital transportation artery connecting Bangkok to southern provinces. It intersects with Highway No. 375 near Ban Phaeo in Samut Sakhon, a key junction linking Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram provinces. With traffic volumes continuing to rise, the area has faced significant congestion, prompting the DOH to move forward with infrastructure to support better traffic flow.
This initiative coincides with ongoing works on the Ban Phaeo grade-separated interchange, a project aimed at improving traffic continuity. The DOH maintains that the parallel road and accompanying bridges are necessary to alleviate pressure on the main route and facilitate smoother, safer travel for local commuters. The new parallel road will also help separate local traffic from long-distance travel on the main highway.
The announcement comes after a March 4, 2024, statement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who called for all construction on Rama II Road to be completed by June 2025 in order to resolve long-standing delays. While some projects were paused in response, the DOH clarified that this particular segment forms part of the original network expansion plan and does not interfere with the main road. The agency emphasized that the project aims to enhance local mobility and ensure long-term transportation efficiency in the region.
