The Director-General of the Department of Highways revealed the steps to clear the crane collapse debris on Rama 2 Road, admitting the operation is challenging because some structures remain suspended above, risking a repeat incident. He emphasized that the clearance will be completed within 14 days at most.
On 16 Jan 2025 GMT+7, regarding the crane collapse on Rama 2 Road, Mr. Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisan, Director-General of the Department of Highways, explained the traffic surface clearance process at the incident site. He said engineering and technical teams from the Department of Highways, contractors, and the Engineering Institute have assessed and planned the dismantling and removal of the damaged steel structures, taking great care to prevent further incidents and ensure maximum safety.
Currently, two 550-ton cranes and several 200-ton cranes are stationed on site. They have begun securing the upper structures that might fall, including the steel frames above, which have been stabilized. Today’s plan includes cutting some parts and gradually removing them from the area with utmost caution.
The operation is difficult because although the steel frames and precast beam sections collapsed, they did not fully fall; some structures remain suspended. Without careful planning, pulling or removing parts could cause snapping or collapse, endangering the surrounding traffic lanes and nearby power lines on both sides. Therefore, extra caution is necessary, especially to protect the safety of the team.
Officials will clear the debris during daytime, focusing first on firmly securing the concrete and steel structures above before cutting. This ensures that cutting will not cause any sudden movements. Heavy machinery will be used, and the clearance is scheduled to finish within 14 days as planned.
Regarding inspections of other areas, Mr. Piyapong stated that all work on Contract Phase 7 has been suspended. Similarly, other projects involving lancier-type elevated construction have also been halted to assess whether the equipment installation meets safety standards. Since multiple contracts use this method, safety is being prioritized.
The Prime Minister has issued clear orders emphasizing public safety to reassure citizens. The Department of Highways is reviewing administrative orders that could lead to contract termination. Two fact-finding committees have been established to investigate the cause with a seven-day timeframe. The Ministry of Transport has also formed its own committee, resulting in two investigation groups: one from the Department of Highways and one from the Ministry of Transport.
Later, at 18:00 GMT+7, after officials cut the lancier steel using gas until separated, two 500-ton cranes lifted and placed the sections onto the main lanes of Rama 2 Road, which were closed for traffic. During the operation, the parallel road was also closed to ensure safety for passersby.