RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION FROM FRIENDSHIP BRIDGE TO BAN THANALENG
PROJECT
Thai Loan No. NECF/L-003
Start Date : October 2006
Completion Date : April 2008
Executing Agency: Ministry of Communication Transport Post and Construction (MCTPC) and Railway Authority Lao PDR
Funding Agency: Neighbouring Countries EconomicDevelopment Cooperation Agency
(NEDA) Kingdom of Thailand
Design by : STS Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd.
Construction Supervision by : STS Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd in association with
Pacific Consultants International (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Lao Transport Engineering Consult Construction by: Sermsanguan Construction Co., Ltd of
Thailand
Lao Railway Authority Office
Signing Ceremony on 26 September 2006
PROJECT FEATURES
The railway link line from Thailand to Lao PDR (between Friendship Bridge to Thanaleng, south-east of Vientiane ) will be fundamental part of Lao Railway Network to Vientiane in order to carry an increasing traffic volume and promote economic linkage between the two countries. The route will extend from Thai side at mid-point (border line) of the Friendship Bridge and runs on the bridge about 600 m and is terminated at Ban Thanaleng Station with total length of 3.5 km.
The scope of the project is as follows:
(1) General Requirements
The works comprise project management, control, provisions and maintenances of temporary facilities and equipment, insurance, project schedule and
control, testing, survey, various submittal etc during mobilization and demobilization.
(2) Earthworks
The work includes clearing and grubbing, excavation, embankment, subbase, slope protection and removal of existing asphaltic concrete for laying trackwork on bridge of 600 m in length. Total amount of embankment work is about 112,300 cu.m and will be built using standard procedures.
(3) Roadworks
The work covers an aggregate bass course, asphaltic concrete pavement of approximately 15,280 sq.m laterite road of about 5,350 sq.m and placing asphaltic concrete along both sides of rail on the bridge of 600 m in length along with installation of guardrails painted.
(4) Structure Works
The work covers one box culvert of size 3-3.00x3.00 m 10 m long for drainage and one Roadway box culvert of size 4.50x5.00 m 10 m long for road crossing underneath of the railway; (Tunnel).
(5) Buildings
The work covers the construction of one 5-unit Row House, station building, one Food and Toilet building, platform between Track 1 and Track 2 of about 2100 sq.m, platform with roof at station of about 3250 sq.m and chain link fence of 400 m. in total length.
(6) Drainage Work
The work covers 0.8 m diameter R.C. pipe culverts of 500 m in length, concrete U-ditch (with cover) of 2,100 m in length, concrete V-ditch of 1,300 m in length, 16 each of concrete drop inlet and 18 each of concrete manholes.
(7) Utilities
The work covers electrical work including provision of power supply for street lighting system in new road and street lighting for the existing concrete post, and
for the signalling and telecommunication system, and public water supply to buildings at Ban Thanaleng Station.
(8) Trackworks
8.1 The work covers placing ballast, sleepers, fastening and laying rail including lifting, leveling, lining and tamping for
- Track on permanent way 2,900 m.
- Track on bridge 600 m.
- Turnouts 4 Ea
8.2 The work includes the supply of track maintenance equipment.
(9) Signalling and Telecommunication
The work covers the three booths for level crossing keeper inclusive of electric supply and water supply and provision of two sets of block equipment, one set of dispatcher telephone, key lock point, three sliding gate trolleys, together with incorporated devices for signalling and telecommunication system consisting of four sets of hand operation point and two sets of wooden derailer located in approach and of Ban Thanaleng Station and near ending point of the line.
Each party exchanging Contract Documents
PROJECT HISTORY
Lao PDR is a landlocked country which lies between the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam extending in 1,900 km to northwest and southeast.
As for transportation infrastructures, Lao PDR has no railway system and an insufficient roadway system. Improvement of these transportation systems is a large concern of the country. In addition, for the landlocked country of Lao PDR, it is most essential for the socio economic development to secure international transportation routes with overseas countries through neighboring countries and their deep sea ports.
However, the geographic feature of the country bounded by the Mekong River in Thailand side and by the mountain range in Vietnam side has been obstacles against the improvement of transport links with neighboring countries. The link connecting Vientiane city, the capital of Lao PDR, and its surrounding area with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration as well as Eastern seaboard through Northeast Thailand is
considered to be the most important economic corridor.
As part of this corridor, the first Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge crossing the Mekong River was constructed between Nongkhai and Vientiane in 1994. Currently this bridge is used for road transport only, but can accommodate a railway also. Railway track in Thai side of the bridge has been installed already extending to existing railway track from Nongkhai Station. It is a single track with 1,000 mm gauge with the distance of 2.5 km
from new Nongkhai Station up to the center of the Bridge (the border).
In August 1995, the feasibility study on the Nongkhai to Vientiane Railway Extension Project was conducted under the agreement between Lao Government and the private company for being concessionaire of this railway project. The study proposed to construct a 13.6 km railway line from the center of the Friendship Bridge up to Vientiane city having 3 stations at Ban Thanaleng, Somsanga and Vientiane Central, as shown in
Route Map However the implementation program has been stopped due to economic crisis in this region in 1997.
In September 2000 STS Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd has been awarded on the Detailed Engineering Design Contract for Friendship Bridge to Ban Thanaleng Railway Project by State Railway of Thailand (SRT) under the agreement between the
two governments of Lao PDR and Thailand for the purpose of maximizing the usage of Friendship Bridge for transport system. The design has been finished in March 2001.
Hence, the construction project has been implemented under the Financial Assistance Agreement No. NECF/L-003 between Lao Peoples Democratic Republic and the Kingdom of Thailand dated March 20, 2004. All proceed shall be executed through
Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) as Donors Agent of Thailand
DETAILED ENGINEERING DESIGN
(1) Route Alignment
Horizon Alignment
Horizon Alignment for the project has been designed to allow for line speeds up to 120km/h. The extent of curved track used is of the following proportion of the
total alignment length;
Distance Percentage
400 m 11.4%
3,100 m 88.6%
Vertical Alignment
The gently undulating terrain has required that the following range of track gradients to be used;
Gradient Distance
-1.000% 1,100 m.
-0.087% 400 m.
0.000% 2,000 m.
Route Description
Key controls and features of the route have been
included as follows:
0+000 to 0+700: This alignment is straight from the center line of the bridge
0+700 to 1+400:This alignment contains 1 road tunnel, an existing pond to be filled and small groups of building
1+400 to 1+900: Ditch crossing with box culvert
1+900 to 3+417: Ban Thanaleng station
3+417 to 3+500: Extended alignment for 83 m
Survey Team of Contractor Start Work on 10 October 2006
(2) Road, Tunnel and Ditch Crossing
The route over most of the project length is aligned approximately south-north. The alignment intersects a number of road, tunnel and ditch. There are one road crossing, one tunnel crossing and one ditch crossing with a RC. box culvert.
A road crossing at 1+820
A tunnel crossing at 1+204
A ditch crossing at 1+500
(3) Earthwork
The following information shows general context of the route profile:
0+000 to 0+800: There is no earthwork required because this alignment section is on the bridges structure.
0+800 to 1+775: This alignment requires an amount of fill.
1+775 to 3+500: This alignment requires an amount of cut.
Alignment passing through Existing Pond to be filled up at Km. 1+000
(4) Track Design
Rail
Type of Rail
Main line BS 80 A
Auxiliary-main line BS 80A (including running loops)
Siding BS 80A
At present the standard rail length is 18 m.
Rail Joints
Fish plates BS 80 A rail will use four bolt fish plates
Insulated Rail Joint Plates To be decided
Sleepers
Use of the monolithic pre-stressed concrete sleepers
The standard SRT type will be used.
Sleeper spacing
Main line 60 centimeters
Siding 65 centimeters
Rail Fastening Device
For ease of maintenance a Pandrol type will be proposed Pad
High density polyethylene (HDPE)
Ballast
Hard durable rock ballast will be used to facilitate future maintenance, and the applicable specification will be the American Railway Standard for checking grading, flakiness, elongation, and wear factor.
Switches
Main line : BS 80 A rail simple turnout # 12 (1: 12)
at points - flexible switch
at frogs - manganese frog
Siding : BS 80 A rail simple turnout # 10 (1: 10)
at pints - ground ordinary rail switch
at frogs - built-up frog
Level Crossing
In principle, level crossing will be avoided wherever practicable, but where they are necessary or economically desirable the SRT standard shall be used. Additionally, high strength concrete will be applied for bridge panel and concrete block system
will be applied for the road.
Track Side Signs
The following post or signs, either of wood or concrete, will be specified:
- distance post at 1000 m and 500 m
- grade post
- curve post
- clearance post
- shunting limit post
(5) Structure Work
As this rail link is a relative short, which is 3.5 km, and the general terrain is pretty flat. There are only three main structure works as follows:
- Ban Thanaleng Station and its facilities
- 1 Box culverts
(6) Signalling and Telecommunication
The consulting Team will follow SRTs standard and current practices. The signalling System will essentially be and extension of the existing installation up to Nongkhai, and will interface as such, and follow in the use of Token less Block and Fixed Line side Signals.
WORK to link Laos to Thailand's rail network officially began on January 19, when Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula attended a ground-breaking ceremony in Dongphosy. This will be the site of the future Tha Naleng passenger and freight rail terminal, close to the Laos end of the Friendship Bridge between the countries.
The 3·5 km line from the bridge over the Mekong is being built at a cost of 197m baht, funded through a 70% loan and 30% grant from the Thai government. A contract was signed with Sermsanguan Construction Co in September 2006, and work is expected to be completed by April 18 2008.
The Friendship Bridge was opened in April 1994 and carries an unused metre-gauge single track from the State Railway of Thailand terminus at Nong Khai.
Kiyonori Tezuka, President of Japanese firm Tezuka Rolling Stock Industry Co, announced plans to purchase locos and rolling stock on behalf of the Laos government.
Deputy Head of the Laos Railway Authority, Sonesack N Ngansana, said the government is to undertake surveys for a 12 km extension to Sok Kham in the suburbs of Vientiane. A route onwards to Vietnam as part of the Trans-ASEAN project is also to be evaluated.
Survey on Lao-Viet railway to begin soon
By Somsack Pongkhao
Vientianetimes July 09, 2007
Vietnamese experts, in cooperation with Lao authorities, will soon begin a survey to build a railway linking Vietnam to central Laos , according to the Lao Railway Authority last week.
The project is part of a plan to build a trans-Asia railway network, with routes connecting member countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).
Deputy Head of the authority, Mr Sonesack N. Ngansana, said Vietnamese experts had come to Laos a few weeks ago to view the site of the new route with Lao officials.
The survey will take 10 months to complete, with financial support from Vietnam , he said, adding that Vietnam had agreed to provide 1.7 billion kip (3 billion dong) for the survey of the railway several months ago, and the process was now in motion.
Once the survey is complete, Laos will seek assistance from foreign countries to start the construction of the railway.
The railway will begin in central Vietnam , follow Road No. 12 to Khammuan province, and from there go on to Vientiane - a total of 519 kilometres.
Mr Sonesack said the completion of the railway would enhance transport, trade and investment cooperation between Laos and Vietnam , as well as cooperation among Asean member countries.
According to the vietnamnet website, in a June 26 report, the railway project on the Vietnamese side from Ha Tinh province to Laos would run for 119km, with 12 stations, seven tunnels, and 24 bridges, with investments totalling US$280 million.
The report, using information from the Deputy Head of the Vietnam Railway Agency, Mr Nguyen Van Doanh, said that to connect up the railway system, not only Vietnam would have to build railroads, but Laos and Cambodia would need to as well.
Laos is yet to have its own train network; the first railway linking Laos to Thailand via the Friendship Bridge is currently under construction.
According to the Lao Railway Authority, construction on the 3.5-km rail link from the middle of the Friendship Bridge to Dongphosy village in Vientiane began in January and is now 32 percent complete.
Mr Sonesack said the project would be completed on schedule by the end of 2008, giving Laos better goods transport facilities to Thailand and, eventually, regional links.
ต่อไปจะมีทางรถไฟจาก Tan Ap ที่เวียตนาม ไป Muda ยาว 519 กิโลเมตร
Quote:
(KPL) The construction project of a railway system in Laos linking sub-region is almost 30 per cent completed, and is anticipated to open for public use by 2008 and to serve the 25th SEA-Game 2009 that will be hosted by Laos.
This is according to the project owner concluded last month, compared to the project plan.
The project was pressed button by Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh to kick start the construction earlier this year with an appreciation of linking sub-region along the Road No 1, which is belongs to an initiative idea of ASEAN Railway Kunming-Singapore.
The project phase 1 stretches from the end of Friendship bridge to Ban Dongposy is valued at 197 million baht, of which 30 per cent of grant aid and loan for the rest.
For the second phase the railway will be built from the first station at Ban Dongphosy to Vientiane station at Ban Dongsavath with a stretch of nine km.
This project was granted by the French Government through Agence Francaise de Developpement that has approved the first grant of 150,000 euro.
This project has drawn attention from many companies both local and foreign that now five foreign companies have bought bid envelops from project owners.
Next phase of railway construction will build to connect the km 21 on the road No 13 passing through behind of the 25th SEA-Game stadium, industrial zone and an international airport that will be built in future.
The railway line of km 21 stretch is under survey and will be succeeded by this year.
Linking this railway from the km 21 to Thakhek district, Khammouna province, which connected Muda of Vietnam to Tan Up of Hanoi with a total stretch of 519 km.
One of the railways is the China-ASEAN rail link with three separate lines linking Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos with China.
The rail link will further go to Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, and will be altogether 5,500 km-long. With its expected completion by 2015, the rail link will play a key role in pushing forward regional economic cooperation and integration.
China has already stated construction of the eastern line of rail link from Kunming to the Vietnamese border and it is investing 50 billion yuan (6.25 billion U.S. dollars) to build a total of three lines in Yunnan province to link them with Laos and Myanmar besides Vietnam.
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