The Thai Department of Highways has announced plans for a new overpass at the Prachuap Khiri Khan intersection to ease traffic congestion along Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road). The project, with an estimated budget of 900 million baht, aims to accommodate the increasing volume of vehicles traveling to and from Thailand’s 14 southern provinces. Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year.
A public consultation meeting was held recently at the Koh Lak Conference Room, located on the fifth floor of the Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Hall. The session, led by provincial authorities and highway department officials, aimed to present the design and gather feedback from stakeholders. The planned overpass will span 3.4 kilometers from Highway Police Station 3, Subdivision 2, to a location near a Lotus’s shopping center, approximately 500 meters from the Koh Lak intersection. The design includes a six-lane elevated roadway—three lanes in each direction—with a clearance height of 5.5 meters underneath, where a U-turn will also be constructed.
The project is expected to significantly improve traffic flow on Highway 4, which currently handles approximately 29,534 vehicles per day, as well as on Highway 326, which sees around 7,184 vehicles daily. Construction is projected to begin between August and September this year and will take approximately three years to complete. The proposal received majority approval in the consultation meeting, with 23 votes in favor and 14 against.
However, concerns were raised by local business owners regarding potential disruptions during and after construction. Issues cited included reduced accessibility for customers, dust pollution, and potential impacts on local drainage systems. Participants also requested clearer data on traffic congestion levels to justify the necessity of the project.
Highway engineers defended the initiative, emphasizing the overpass’s role in improving connectivity to central Prachuap Khiri Khan and alleviating congestion, particularly during peak travel seasons. Officials assured that public feedback would be considered in refining the project plan, and site inspections would be conducted to address specific concerns. Additionally, the Department of Highways is planning future overpass projects at Koh Lak and Nong Hin intersections, as well as other key junctions along Phetkasem Road.
