The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) on Friday signed four contracts worth combined 27.786 billion baht for the construction of the extension of the Green Line from Mor Chit to Saphan Mai and Khu Kot in Pathum Thani.
The construction contracts for the extension to the BTS skytrain system were signed with:
• Italian-Thai Development Plc, for the 15.269-billion-baht civil engineering of the 12-kilometre route between Mor Chit and Saphan Mai in Don Muang district.
• The UN-SH-CH Joint Venture (Unique Engineering and Construction Plc, Sinohydro Corporation Ltd and China Habour Engineering Co Ltd), for the 6.657-billion-baht contract to build the 7.5km Saphan Mai to Khu Kot track in Lam Luk Ka district of Pathum Thani.
• STEC-AS Joint Venture (Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Plc and A.S. Associate Engineering (1964) Ltd, for the construction of the depot and park-and-ride building for 4.019 billion baht, and for the design and construction of the track for 2.841 billion baht.
Construction will start in June with completion scheduled in 2020. There will be 16 stations on this 19km extension of the BTS system.
MRTA board chairman Yodyuth Boonyatikarn said the extension of the Green Line would help reduce traffic congestion on Phahon Yothin road, where there are many government offices, shopping centres and housing communities.
Extending the city's mass transit system would better serve residents in suburban areas. The line would provide a convenient means for commuters to travel between Pathum Thani, into and through the city, and Samut Prakan at the other end of the BTS line.