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New Patong Tunnel: Free expressway for Phuket from 2026!
Minister for Transport unveils new guidelines on Phuket toll-free expressway; Construction starts in 2026, completion in 2030.
New Patong Tunnel: Free expressway for Phuket from 2026!
Something is happening in Phuket! Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, นายพิพัฒน์ รัชกิจประการ, has just unveiled new guidelines for the long-awaited Phuket Expressway Project (Phase 1, Kathu-Patong Section). Under a bright sky and with the sound of traffic in the background, he announced that the route will be 3.98 kilometers long and a whopping 16,757 million baht will be invested in it. A look at the details of the project shows that implementation will now be handled by the Department of Highways, instead of the Thailand Highway Authority as originally planned.
What’s special about this expressway? There is no toll fee! A decision that will certainly be well received by citizens as it will relieve them of the financial burden. In addition, the tunnel, which extends over a length of 1.85 km, will be 10 meters wide - instead of the originally planned 17 meters. This change is not only a cost saving, but is also intended to increase safety on the roads. Motorcyclists will probably have to be prepared to share a lane with cars, as there are no separate lanes for them.
Important changes and future steps
However, the changes to the project are not the only issue. Interaction with the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) is necessary to finalize the project details. A decision is expected as early as next week, with a series of submissions to Cabinet next November. This progress should not be underestimated, as the project itself has been studied since 2010 and received approval for a public-private partnership (PPP) in 2022. However, due to a lack of supply, the form of investment was changed and the highway authority will now finance the project independently.
Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, and hopes are high for completion in 2030. However, the adjustments could extend the construction period by 1.5 to 2 years. In particular, reducing the tunnel size could help reduce costs by about 1 billion baht, a positive turnaround for the budget.
The destination of the expressway
What specifically will be improved with the expressway? In addition to relieving congestion on national road 4029, traffic problems and accidents should also be reduced. This first expressway in a province outside Bangkok could be a game-changer in traffic flow and significantly improve tourism connectivity on Phuket. The anticipation of the project is understandable, as the population is hoping for a noticeable improvement in the traffic situation.
A look at the financial framework shows that of the 16,757 million baht, around 10,965 million baht will go towards construction and the remaining 5,792 million baht will go towards compensation. Of the required land, 75% has already been expropriated, further driving progress.
It remains exciting to see how this mega project will develop. The next few weeks promise to provide information about the final decisions and the starting signal for rapid development on Phuket.