The Department of Rural Roads is speeding up construction of the Lampao Reservoir bridge in Kalasin province. Progress has reached 31%, ahead of schedule, with an expected opening in 2028. The project will shorten travel distance by more than 60 km, supporting the economy, tourism, and improving residents' quality of life.
Mr. Phichit Hunsiri, Director-General of the Department of Rural Roads (DRR) He revealed that the DRR is currently carrying out the Lampao Reservoir bridge construction project in Sahatsakhan and Sam Chai districts, Kalasin province. Construction has progressed over 31%, ahead of schedule. Work is ongoing on the pile foundations and piers within the reservoir, casting bridge deck segments, and building the road structure at the project's starting point. The project is expected to be completed by 2028.
Before the Lampao Reservoir was built, residents of Ban Dong Noi in Phu Sing subdistrict, Sahatsakhan district, and Ban Non Than in Samran Tai subdistrict, Sam Chai district, could travel between these communities conveniently. After the reservoir's construction, Ban Dong Noi residents relocated south of the reservoir, while Ban Non Than residents moved north. This has forced people to cross the reservoir, currently relying on small ferry boats operating between Ban Dong Noi and Ban Non Than, which can carry about four cars at a time and take 15 to 20 minutes per crossing. The ferry operates only during daylight hours and charges 100 baht per vehicle. Without using the ferry, residents must travel on Highway 227 around the reservoir, turning left at Phon subdistrict, Kam Muang district, onto Highway 2289 westward, making the total distance from Sahatsakhan to Sam Chai about 42 kilometers.
This project aims to improve the quality of life for residents, students, and patients by facilitating easier travel to schools and hospitals in other districts or provinces, in line with the policy of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn. It will reduce the travel distance between Sahatsakhan and Sam Chai districts by up to 21 kilometers. For residents living along the Lampao Reservoir (between Ban Dong Noi and Ban Non Than), the travel distance will be cut by approximately 63 kilometers. The project also supports transportation of agricultural products such as sugarcane, cassava, rice, and rubber—key economic crops in both districts—to purchasing centers and factories, reducing time and costs. The DRR is constructing the bridge starting from rural road K.S. 5047 at Ban Dong Noi, Phu Sing subdistrict, Sahatsakhan district, ending at rural road K.S. 4070 at Ban Non Than, Samran Tai subdistrict, Sam Chai district.
The bridge is a precast prestressed concrete box girder with two traffic lanes, each lane 3.5 meters wide, a total carriageway width of 12 meters, and shoulders 2.5 meters wide on each side. The bridge length is 1,760 meters. Connecting asphalt concrete roads with two lanes, each 3.5 meters wide, and shoulders ranging from 0 to 2.5 meters wide, will link to existing roads K.S. 5047 and K.S. 4070 for a distance of 1,595 meters. The project also includes construction of U-turns under both ends of the bridge, drainage systems, lighting systems, and safety equipment, with a total construction budget of 836 million baht.
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