The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) is building a 1.76-kilometre bridge across Lam Pao Reservoir in Kalasin to connect Sahatsakhan and Sam Chai districts, improve transport links and support agricultural trade and tourism.
DRR director-general Phichit Hunsiri said the 836-million-baht project was more than 31% complete, ahead of schedule, and expected to be finished in 2028. Work includes pile foundations and piers in the reservoir, casting bridge-deck sections and building the approach road.
Before the reservoir was built, residents of Ban Dong Noi in tambon Phu Sing, Sahatsakhan district, and Ban Non Than in tambon Samran Tai, Sam Chai district, could travel easily between the two communities. However, its construction forced residents to relocate to opposite sides, making travel across the water necessary.
Residents now rely on a small ferry that carries about four cars per trip and operates only during daylight hours. The crossing takes 15-20 minutes and costs 100 baht per vehicle.
Without the ferry, motorists must travel about 42 kilometres around the reservoir via highways 227 and 2289 to journey between the two districts.
The bridge is expected to reduce the journey between Sahatsakhan and Sam Chai by 21 kilometres, and the distance between Ban Dong Noi and Ban Non Than by about 63 kilometres.
The project aims to improve access to schools and hospitals, particularly for students and patients, while reducing the time and cost of transporting agricultural produce, including sugarcane, cassava, rice and rubber, to markets and factories.
The bridge will have two traffic lanes and a 12-metre-wide carriageway. The project also includes 1.595km of connecting roads, U-turn points beneath both ends of the bridge, drainage systems, street lighting and road safety equipment. The roads will connect the bridge to the existing local network.