The Philippine Ministry of Transportation discusses with Thailand and prepares for a site visit of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail construction project
Manager Online, June 1, 2024, 00:49
"Thai-Philippine Ministries of Transportation" held discussions, exchanged experiences, and prepared to visit the construction site of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. The Philippines is in the process of preparing for the construction of a high-speed rail connecting Manila with the province of Sorsogon, in collaboration with China.
Sorphong Phaitoolpong, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, had a meeting with Mr. Jeremy Regino, Undersecretary for Railways, Department of Transportation (DoTr) of the Republic of the Philippines, to exchange experiences in managing large-scale rail investment projects of the Ministry of Transport.
On May 31, 2024, at the Ministry of Transport, Chayatham Phrommasorn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, assigned Sorphong Phaitoolpong, Deputy Permanent Secretary, to meet with Mr. Jeremy Regino, Undersecretary for Railways, Department of Transportation (DoTr) of the Republic of the Philippines, and his delegation to exchange experiences in managing large-scale rail investment projects. The discussion particularly focused on the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai high-speed rail construction project, covering project status, challenges, and implementation strategies. Representatives from the Department of Rail Transport, State Railway of Thailand, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the International Affairs Division of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport also attended the meeting.
Sorphong Phaitoolpong stated that the delegation from the Philippine Ministry of Transportation, led by Mr. Jeremy Regino, is scheduled to stay in Thailand from May 31 to June 3, 2024, and will visit the high-speed rail construction site on June 1, 2024. The Philippines is in the process of preparing the PNR South Long Haul Project (SLH), a major rail development project to connect Manila with the province of Sorsogon. The project is advised by CRDC-WACC, a joint venture between China Railway Design Corporation (CRDC) and Guangzhou Wanan Construction Supervision Co., Ltd. CRDC is also one of the consulting firms supervising the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed rail construction project.
During the meeting, the Ministry of Transport presented an overview of the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai high-speed rail project, detailing the structure of the government agencies overseeing the project and the challenges encountered. The Thai government prioritizes transitioning transportation to a rail-based system to make rail the main mode of passenger and freight transport. Historically, most of these routes were single-track, limiting transport capacity. Therefore, the Ministry has planned the construction of double-track railways. Upon completion of the plan by 2029, the double-track railways will expand to 3,200 kilometers nationwide, enhancing logistics and passenger transport capacity. Several routes are already completed, under construction, or in the bidding process.
For the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed rail project, it starts from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station to Nakhon Ratchasima Station, covering a distance of 250.77 kilometers. The overall progress is currently at 33.52%, with 14 civil contracts, 2 completed, 10 under construction, and 2 pending signing. Additionally, there is one signaling system contract under design. The Ministry has expedited the State Railway of Thailand to complete the remaining projects as planned, with service expected to commence by 2028.
Sorphong Phaitoolpong stated that 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and the Philippines. This meeting is a significant step in strengthening relations between the two countries. The exchange of information will lead to future cooperation in the rail system sector.
SRT Board Approves Extension of Two Thai-Chinese Railway Contracts
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Board of Directors has approved the extension of two contracts for the construction of the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway project. The decision was made on May 23, 2024, to compensate for delays in the delivery of construction sites to the contractors.
The first contract, Contract 4-3, covers the civil works for the Nava Nakhon-Ban Pho section, a 23-kilometer stretch with a budget of 11.525 billion baht. The contract, awarded to a joint venture of CAN (China State Construction Co., Ltd., A.S. Associates Engineering (1964) Co., Ltd., and Nawarat Patanakarn Public Company Limited), has been extended by 163 days, from August 13, 2024, to January 23, 2025. As of April 2024, the project was 67.19% behind schedule.
The second contract, Contract 4-4, covers the civil works for the Chiang Rak Noi Maintenance Center, with a budget of 6.573 billion baht. The contract, awarded to Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, has been extended by 355 days, from September 10, 2025, to August 31, 2026. As of April 2024, the project was 53.326% behind schedule.
The SRT Board has stated that the contractors are not entitled to claim any additional expenses or compensation for the delays. Additionally, there will be no costs incurred by the Control Consultant (CSC), Project Management Consultant (PMC), or the SRT. The delays are not expected to impact the operation of other projects.
This is the second time the SRT Board has approved an extension for the Thai-Chinese railway project. In an earlier decision, the board extended the deadline for Contract 3-2, covering the Muak Lek and Lam Takhong tunnels, by 431 days due to delayed delivery of the construction site.
Spectacular | Update on the Construction of the Thai-Chinese High-Speed Railway Contract 4-3 Bang Pa-In Section, Another Significant Progress Point in Ayutthaya
nanny official
Jun 3, 2024
***The construction of the high-speed railway, Bang Pa-In section, is under contract 4-3 from Nava Nakhon to Ban Pho. This involves constructing an elevated structure along the entire route, covering a distance of 23 kilometers or approximately 14 miles, with a project value of 11.525 billion baht. The construction is being carried out by the CS-NWR-AS Joint Venture and is currently 21.30% complete.
Transportation Ministry Affirms Simathani Bridge Will Remain, Citing Elevated Double Track as Optimal Solution
The Daily News Transportation Innovation News Team reported that on June 11, 2024, Mr. Suraphong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport, will chair a meeting to discuss the construction guidelines for the Bangkok-Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed rail and the Map Kabao-Chira Road Junction double-track railway. The meeting aims to address concerns raised by villagers regarding the Simathani Bridge in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, with some calling for its demolition. However, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) plans to retain the bridge, leading to an impasse that has stalled both projects.
Previously, the Ministry of Transport considered demolishing the bridge and constructing an underpass tunnel, as demanded by some citizens. However, analysis revealed that this would cause severe traffic congestion on Highway No. 2, which already handles over 77,819 vehicles daily. The underpass would create a bottleneck, resulting in maximum waiting times of approximately 3 hours and 8 minutes, with potential increases of 40-50% during festivals. Additionally, tunnel construction would take at least 33 months and require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), further delaying the high-speed rail and double-track railway projects.
To address these concerns, the Ministry of Transport proposes constructing an elevated double-track railway under the Simathani Bridge. This solution would avoid community division, maintain traffic flow, and eliminate the need for overpasses, tunnels, and U-turn points. It would also preserve the bridge, which is still in good condition. However, the elevated railway would be more costly than ground-level construction.
The Ministry of Transport aims to raise public awareness of the benefits of retaining the bridge, emphasizing the potential traffic congestion and disruptions caused by its removal. If villagers continue to oppose the SRT's plans, it could negatively impact the people, especially once the Isaan double-track railway is operational. This line, running from Map Ka Bao to Khlong Khanachit, would become a bottleneck if the bridge is not preserved, leading to train delays and operational issues.
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