The Director-General of the Department of Highways has confirmed that the M82 Motorway will be fully operational from Bang Khun Thian to Ban Phaeo on August 28th. The toll road will be free to use for two years, providing an alternative route to the south and alleviating traffic congestion on Phra Ram 2 Road.
Mr. Piya Phongchiwatnakul, Director-General of the Department of Highways (DOH), revealed that the M82 Motorway, spanning 25 km from Bang Khun Thian to Ekachai to Ban Phaeo, will open for service on August 28th. The construction is currently 98% complete, with the remaining 2% expected to be finished before the opening. The highway will be free to use for approximately two years until the O&M system is fully installed.
The installation of the O&M system is still in the evaluation phase, with proposals from private sectors being assessed under the PPP contract. The contract is expected to be signed by the end of this year, with a two-year installation period from 2017 to 2018. Full-service operation, including toll collection, is anticipated by 2019.
Initially, some entrance and exit points may not be fully operational due to ongoing construction at two locations: the exit at Samut Sakhon 1 and Samut Sakhon 2. Once fully operational, the M82 will facilitate travel to the southern region and help alleviate traffic congestion on Phra Ram 2 Road.
The M82 route begins at the intersection with the Phra Ram 3-Daokhanong Outer Ring Road of Bangkok, near the Bang Khun Thian interchange on Phra Ram 2 Road, and ends at Ban Phaeo District, Samut Sakhon Province. It features six toll booths: Phanthai Norasing, Mahachai 1, Mahachai 2, Samut Sakhon 1, Samut Sakhon 2, and Ban Phaeo. The toll system will be electronic, with rates based on distance traveled. For example, a four-wheeled vehicle will pay an initial fee of 10 baht, with an additional 2 baht per km. The toll rates will increase by 2.5% annually, adjusted every five years.