Bangkok outer ring-road complete.

[STEVE G]

Motorists will be able to travel the complete loop of the outer ring road for the first time tomorrow.


Construction of the last section of the loop, connecting Bang Phli and Suk Sawat, has finally been completed.


The 22.5km section linking Phra Pradaeng district in Samut Prakan and Bang Phli district in the same province will be opened at 10.19am tomorrow, the Expressway and Rapid Transit Authority (ETA) announced yesterday.


Since it also connects the southern part of Bangkok with the eastern areas, road users can now reach these areas without the need to drive through the heart of the capital.


The new road has five exits — Suk Sawat, Sukhumvit, Srinakarin, Theparak and Wat Salut.


The Kanchanaphisek bridge, part of the expressway, has the longest span in the country at 500 metres. It crosses the Chao Phraya river in Phra Pradaeng.


Deputy permanent transport secretary Surachai Thansitpong said motorists can use the new road for free for the time being because the toll collecting system is still under construction. It is due for completion in February 2009.


The new expressway will facilitate transport between southern and eastern provinces with faster access to Suvarnabhumi airport from the southern part of Bangkok, he said. It would ease congestion on Sukhumvit, Srinakarin, Suk Sawat and Rama II roads and nearby areas.


ETA governor Pachoen Pairotesak said the short-cut would save the country about four billion baht in fuel costs next year. The ETA would absorb all the toll expenses during the free period, which is expected to be about 2.8 million baht a month, he said. Construction of the outer ring road began in 1980.

Bangkok Post.

[elem]

would be interesting to hear how much time is saved on the trip from the airport to HH... anyone yet?

[STEVE G]

I have to drive from Hua Hin to Issan in December and I’m hoping that this will make the journey quite a bit easier.
Hopefully this new road will also make a direct bus link to the airport more feasible.

[seasider]

Just bumping this topic.
Has anyone tried the new road yet?
Is it easy to find from the airport?
Quicker?
Cheers
SS

[Winkie]

I've used the new road several times now. Yes, the Airport is easy to find. Its sign-posted, but basically you stay on the Ring Road until you reach the Bangkok-Pattaya Motorway and then joing the Motorway in the Chonburi direction. This si assuming you are comind from the Rama II direction.

I'm travelling down to Cha Am tomorrow evening, and will be joining the new road from the Sirnakarin entrance, my BKK home is in Samut Prakarn and I belvie that I will save best part of an hour.

Will post over the weekend to let you know of my progress

Winkie

[nightstalker]

I'm travelling down to Cha Am tomorrow evening, and will be joining the new road from the Sirnakarin entrance, my BKK home is in Samut Prakarn and I belvie that I will save best part of an hour.

were exactly is the sirnakrin road entrance to the new bridge?
and were does it bring you out in Thonburi?

cheers

[Winkie]

The Srinakrin entrance is in Samut Prakarn, after Thepurak Junction. There is also an entrance on Thepurak Road, and another on Sukhumvit Road beside Chang Erawan.

On the other side, you'll join Rama II Road, I believe, but I'll confirm this once I've done it!

Winkie

[Winkie]

Friday evening, Bangkok (well Samut PRakarn actually) to Cha Am in 2 hours (driving steady).

Returning to Samut Prakarn on Sunday night (many slow moving trucks), total journey time was 2 hours 10 mins (again driving steady, not rushing).

Outer ring road, and the ever improving main roads are making a big differnece to the journey times to/from Cha Am

[Terry]

Seems that the new bridge and the completed ring road have made a drastic improvement in journey times if you are bound for any route that involves crossing Rama IX Bridge.

I have now made the journey up to BKK twice and once down to Hua Hin since the new connection came into effect.

I commute Monday morning and Friday evening from Hua Hin to the office near to Carrefour / Tesco on Rama IV

Previously, journeys up to Bangkok involved leaving at 0515 on Monday morning to get to the expressway tollbooth (or queue for it) at Dao Khanong by about 0730. The crall to the office then took another 1 to 1 1/2 hours depending on traffic.

On Tuesday last week and Today, I left Hua Hin at 0630 and arrived in the office both times at 0900.
A vast improvement.

Last Friday evening I left a meeting at Chatuchak at approx 1630, picked up the Stage 11 expressway there and got back to Hua Hin around 1900 (Including fuel stop)
Another vast improvemet.

On the three journeys made thus far, the traffic volume going over Rama IX Bridge has been about 30 - 40% of that previously encountered.

Cars don't evaporate.
There has been no public holiday on these days that I have been aware of.

SO - Must be due to the new ring road and bridge.

[playboy]

It can be the higher price of the gas!!! so less people use their car now.

[seasider]

I've used the new road several times now. Yes, the Airport is easy to find. Its sign-posted, but basically you stay on the Ring Road until you reach the Bangkok-Pattaya Motorway and then joing the Motorway in the Chonburi direction. This si assuming you are comind from the Rama II direction.

I'm travelling down to Cha Am tomorrow evening, and will be joining the new road from the Sirnakarin entrance, my BKK home is in Samut Prakarn and I belvie that I will save best part of an hour.

Will post over the weekend to let you know of my progress

Winkie

Actually I was more concerned about finding the route coming from the airport - that is the way I usually have problems. If only there was a huge sign coming from the terminal that said Cha Am/ Hua Hin this way!


SS

[STEVE G]

I have to drive from Hua Hin to Issan a couple of times in the next month; has anyone been all the way from the South to the Saraburi road? Just curious how much quicker this is going to be compared with the Rama IX route.

[malcolminthemiddle]

Anyone ever found an online map of BKKs ringroad system?

That would be very helpful.

[Winkie]

I've used the new road several times now. Yes, the Airport is easy to find. Its sign-posted, but basically you stay on the Ring Road until you reach the Bangkok-Pattaya Motorway and then joing the Motorway in the Chonburi direction. This si assuming you are comind from the Rama II direction.

I'm travelling down to Cha Am tomorrow evening, and will be joining the new road from the Sirnakarin entrance, my BKK home is in Samut Prakarn and I belvie that I will save best part of an hour.

Will post over the weekend to let you know of my progress

Winkie

Actually I was more concerned about finding the route coming from the airport - that is the way I usually have problems. If only there was a huge sign coming from the terminal that said Cha Am/ Hua Hin this way!


SS

Seasider

From the Airport, go to Bangna Trad (there are 2 ways to do this, at least!). one will put you directly on the Outer ring road and this will keep going all the way to Rama II over the river.

If you reach Bangna Trad road (without option to go to Rama II), joing Bangna Trad in direction of Bangkok, within about 4-5 kms you'll reach the Outer Ring Rod, follow signs to Rama II Road.

Both not a major problem, both very quick

Certainly will shave 1 hour off the journey from the Airport to HH

[Winkie]

I have to drive from Hua Hin to Issan a couple of times in the next month; has anyone been all the way from the South to the Saraburi road? Just curious how much quicker this is going to be compared with the Rama IX route.

Steve

Haven't tried it

But... hasn't this option been available already for many years?