1.4 Pavement design shall be based on the accumulated number of standard axle loads predicted during the first 7th year after construction high type surface shall be either reinforced concrete pavement or asphaltic concrete pavement intermediate type surfacing shall be double bituminous surface treatment or equivalent.
1.5 Department of Highways or AASHTO recommendations shall be followed for any design details which are not separately specified.
1.6 The designation of a highway class shall be based on the following.
D class following 7th year forecast ADT. or shall be justified base on separate economic feasibility calculations.
Class 1, 2 and 3 highway following 15th year forecast ADT. reaching minimum specified volumes.
Class 4 highways require a 7th year forecast ADT of more than 300 and a 15th year forecast ADT. of less than 1,000. Class 5 highways require a 7th year forecast ADT. of less than 300 and a 15th year forecast ADT. or more than 300.

2. Criteria for Highway Cross Section

2.1 The traffic lane width shall be as stated in the “minimum design standards” except in the case of widening of an urban roadway to more than 2 lanes within a narrow right of ways, in which the additional outer lanes may be narrower than the standard lane width, but not less than 2.50 m. width.
2.2 The width of shoulder shall be as state in “Minimum Design Standards” except for highways designated in certain urban or crowded areas where the shoulder shall be paved, 3.00 m. wide, and pertain to all of the highway classes except for class 5.
2.3 The width of the sidewalk for highways in urban area shall be as stated in the Department’s typical ultimate design cross section for each right of ways width. In the case where the right of ways is narrower than that of the minimum standard right of ways, the width of the sidewalk may be reduced.
In the case where the pedestrians traffic is heavy, and where space is available, the width of the sidewalk may be wider than of the standard, but not more than 5.00 m.
2.4 The typical cross section for rural divided highway with 80 m. or more wide right of ways and for urban with different standards right of ways shall follow the standard drawings of the Bureau of Locations and Design Department of Highways.

3. Criteria for Bridge Cross Section

3.1 The width of bridge is generally as designed standard.
3.2 The roadway width, sidewalk width, barrier width and railing of bridges in urban areas may be                   specially designed to conform to existing conditions.

3.3 The outside edge of bridge roadway, devided highway of special highways, should be sidewalk of 1.50 meter width while the inside edge should be 0.50 meter thick barrier.
3.4 For bridges located on a horizontal curve, the bridge roadway width shall be widened as the width of the approach road. If the width of bridge roadway is more than 0.50 meter. It will be counted as 1.0 meter. Anyhow, the width of bridge roadway should not be less than that as stated in clause 3.1.
3.5 For highways which are to be widened in the future the bridge roadway width shall be set according to the ultimate cross section of the highway or to minimize initial cost, the bridge may be designed for stage construction by widening to meet ultimate design requirements.
3.6 When the bridge is a part of an interchange of an overpass, the width of the bridge shall be set according to the geometrical cross section of the related pavement structure.

Highway Project

Ongoing Outstanding Highway Project   Completed Outstanding Highway Project Highway Project Commencing in Fiscal Year 1999 Highway Project Completed in Fiscal Year 1999

 Ongoing Outstanding Highway Project

Though the financial crisis in Fiscal Year is not over, it is considered that the pressure is much relief. However, Departmet of Highways continues stressing on the expedition of its budget to the maximum benefit of the road users by adjusting the designed standard to cope with current economics circumstances; or in other words Department of Highways tries to pay less for same servicing standard.
            Outstanding projects in this fiscal year is chiefly the projects which have already been commenced in prior years, for instance, the inter-city motorway project and the four-lane divided highway project. And, in order to develop more completed Asean Highway Network, the conference on network designation has been held among the Asean member countries. The network is designated to link communication of the most potential areas of each member country with each other. Therefore the Asean Highway Project will be one of the outstanding projects in the future besides the following outstanding ones:-

Four-Lane Highway Construction Project

          Four Lane Highway Construction Project I

                       Project History

                        The Governmental of Thailand has approved, on February 16,1993, the plan for Four lane Highway Construction Project I in accordance with its policy to improve all main route to each part of the country to four-lane highways for the convenience and safety of all road users. The total distance of the roads to be improved is 1,891 kilometers and the project duration is between the year 1996-1999. The total cost of the project estimated and Baht 45,900 Million and the project is as summarised below.

                        Northern Region Bangkok-Changrai-A. Mae sai including Lampang-Chiangmai, total distance 467 kilometers, estemated construction cost Baht 16,600 Million.

                        North Eastern region Bangkok-Nong Khai, total distance 231 kilometers, estimated construction cost Baht 4,600 Million.

                        Central Region Bangkol-Trad, total distance 120 kilometers, estimated construction cost Baht 3,000 Million.

                        Southern Region Bangkon-Sungaikolok, total distance 893 kilometers estimated construction cost Baht 21,700 Million.

                        Project Implimentation

                        Detailed design for the project has been completed by Department of Highways and after that procurement for contractors and construction phase has been accomplished.

Four-Lane Hihgway constructiion Project II

         Project History

         Upon the cabinet approval of the Four-Lane Highway Construction Project I, the cabinet has a remark that the Ministry of Transport and Communications should carry on the next programme for four-land highway construction. The Ministry, therefore, has assigned Department of Highways to propose to the cabinet the Plan covers the construction of four-lane highways from eastern to western region and from the north to the south has been proposed at the total distance of 4,366 kilometers and the estimated cost of Baht 103,300 million. The Project duration is 11 years during the year 1996 to  2006. The proposed highways are following:-

1.   Nakhon sawan-Phitsanulok-A. Den Chai-Phrae-A. Ngao(include Phrae-Nan), total distance 491 kilometers.

2.      A. Mae Sod- Tak- Sukhothai-Phitsanulok- Khon Khaen-Kalasin-Mukdahan, total distance 773 kilometers.

3.    Saraburi-Petchabun-A.Lom Sak-Loei, total distance 445 kilometers.

4.     B.Hin Kong-Nakhon Nayok-Prachinburi-A.Aranyaprather-Thai/Cambodia Border, total distance 194 kilometers.

5.     Nakhon Pathom-Suphanburi-A.Pa Mok-saraburi(incl.Kanchanaburi-Suphanburi), total distance 228 kilometers.

6.     Nakhon Sawan-Chaiyaphum-A.Ban chai-Mahasarakham-Roi-et-Yasothon-Ubonratchathani-Chong Mek, total distance 672 kilometers.

7.      A.Sattahip-A.Phanomsarakham A.Kabinburi-A.Pak Thongchai- A.Choke Chai-A.Nang Rong-A.Parsart-Ubonratchathani-Mukdahan(incl.A.SiKhiu-A.Chok Chai),total distance 834 kilometers.

8.      Surat Thani-Nakhon Si Thammarat-Song Khla-Hat Yai (include. Song Khla – A.Chana), total distance 370 kilometers.

9.     Phuket-Phang Nga –Krabi-Phattalung (include, Huai Yot-Nakhon Si Thammarat), total distance 389 kilometer.

Later, on January 10,1995, the cabinet has approved the said plan in priciple and also commented that more roads should be included and the feacibility study be carried out for more details;moreover implementation schedule and financial management should be proposed to the cabinet further.

Department of Highways then engaged a consultant to proceed with such comment and the following two more networks had been included:-

Network I, Loei-Udon Thani-Sakon Nakhon-Nakhon Phanom at the total distance of 333 kilometers.

Network II, additional six roads, i.e. A.Sak Lek-A. Wang Thong, Sukhothai-] sSawankhalok,Sikhio-Chaiyaphum,A.Kaeng Khro-Chum Phae, Chumphon-Ranong and Surat Thani-Phangnga at the total distance of 138 kilometers

The study has already been completed and is now on the process of proposing for cabinet consideratioon together with Four Lane Highway Construction Plan(Phase 2) which will be implemented during the 9^th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2000-2008).

However for some high priority routes running close to main town of being main route of Thailand, request for budget allocation has been made and proceeded.

           Project Implimentation

Department of Highways has proceeded with this project, from the feasibility study to survey and detailed engineering design, preparation of construction and finally for conxtruction , as shown on the summary below:

Completed Outstanding Highway Project

   Don Muang-Rangsit Tollway

   Highway No.347 JRT.346, JRT.32

   Thai-Laos Cooperation on Highway Construction

   Asian Highway in Thailand

   Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridege Construction Project

Anusornsathan - Rangsit Elevated Highway Construction Project (Don Muang - Rangsit Tollway)

Project Background
         Department of Highways has set up the Highway Development Plan in trend with transportation and communication system development held under each National Economic and Social Development Plan. The project implementation shall include new link construction projects and the project for rehabilitating of existing highways throughout the country; such as, Inter-city motorway construction project, four-lane (or more) highway widening project, new highway construction project, interchange and elevated highway construction project and road safety programme. All of these projects require large amount of budget for investment. In addition, Department of Highways has undertaken many other urgent construction works including the construction of elevated highway over Highway No. 31 (Vibhavadi Rangsit Road) and Highway No. 1 (Phaholyothin Road) Section Anusornsathan-Rangsit in order to serve the high increasing traffic volume and, on the other hand, to serve the coming 13^th Asian Games Tournament to be held in Thailand. For this purpose the cabinet has issued resolution for procurement base on lump sum turnkey and the Unit Cost contract.

Project Description
          The elevated highway project is designed for the construction of 6-lanes highway. The traffic surface of the elevated highway is 14.00 meters high over the existing road and will be connected with Don Muang Elevated Tollway on the Highway Route No. 31 (Vibhavadi Road) around Km. 26+597.081 and with Highway Route No. 1 (Phaholyothin Road) around Km. 33+954.082. The project includes the construction of the access road to and exit elevated highway, street lighting system, toll collection system, close-circuit television system, emergency telephone system, toll plaza and offices etc.

Project Objectives
        For the purpose of safety on the elevated highway when it is opened to traffic and for the enforcement of government regulations on environmental impact as well as traffic management during construction, the following design criteria has been set up by Department of Highways:

-  Traffic Lane lanes
-  Traffic Lane Width 3.50 meter
-  Shoulder Width (Outside) 2.00 meter
-  Shoulder Width (Inside) 0.50 meter
-  Vertical Clearance 13.50 meter
-  Live Load AASHTO HS 20 plus 30%
-  Earthquake Force 6% of dead load
-  Asphalt Concrete Thickness 10 centimeter
-  Each Pile Distance 30 meter

Project Management

Department of Highways, through Bureau of Bridge Construction, has retained the service of Messrs. Epsilon Co., Ltd. as the Consultants for review of detailed design and supervision of construction at 53,133,500 Baht while the construction is carrying out by Messrs. Italian Thai Development Cooperation (PCL) at the amount of 3,887,395,600 Baht. The duration of construction contract is 430 days from 18^th September 1997 to 21^st November 1998.

Highway No. 347 JRT. 346 (B. Bang Pun), JRT. 32 (A. BanN PaA Han)

Project Background
               The traffic volume from Bangkok to the North has been increased annually and it is very heavy especially on Phaholyothin highway Section Bangkok - Pratunam Pra-in; however, the expansion for more traffic lane is impossible as the right of way is rather limited and traffic congestion is foreseen. Department of Highways therefore decides to construct a new alignment from B. Bang Phun Changwat Pathumthani to A. Bang Pa Han Changwat Phranakhon Sri Ayutthaya to diverse some traffic from Highway No. 1 (Phaholyothin) and Highway No. 32 (Bang Pa In - Nakhon Sawan) section Bangkok - A. Bang Pa Han into this highway. Adequate right of way for future expansion of the road is also prepared.

Project Description
            Highway No. 347 is the link of Highway No. 346 and Highway No. 32. The route begins at the intersection of Highway No. 346 (B. Bang Phun) and run to the north, crossing Highway No. 37 (Outer Bangkok Ring Road, Southern Portion), Highway No. 3309 (Bang Pa In - Silpacheep Center), Highway No. 3469 (Ayutthaya - Bang Sai), Highway No. 3263 (Ayutthaya - A. Sena), Highway No. 309 (Ayutthaya - Angthong) and ends up at the intersection of Highway No. 32 (A. Bagn Pa Han). The total distance of the route is 49 kilometers.
          At first, this highway has been constructed into two lanes only but now the first 16 kilometers has been constructed into 6 lanes and 10 lanes to merge with Highway No. 37 (Outer Bangkok Ring Road, Southern Portion).
         Where the route crossed with Highway No. 346 (under construction), Highway No. 37 (completed) and Highway No. 32 (under construction), an interchange is constructed while the At Grade Intersection is introduced to other intersection.
        Today, there are more traffic passing by this highway and it can diverse a large number of traffic from Highway No. 1 and Highway No. 32 and as the result the road users has benefit more time and fuel saving. 

Thai - Laos Cooperation on Highway Construction

At Present Kingdom of Thailand and Lao pe0ple's Democratic republic (Laos) Has an engagement highway development projects which are out by both countries:
and which are beging assisted by the Kingdom of Thailand to Laopeople's Democratic Republic as its neighhouring Country,followtng are details of thai said Assistances:-
1. The Second Mekhongm Construction Project
            This Bridge Connects the Kingdom of ThaiLan at ,Mukdahan Province to Lao People's Democratic Republic at Suwanakhet. It is a part of THE - EAST- WEST CORRIDOR, Connection the three countries, i.e. the Kingdom of Thailand, Lao People's Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The project start frome Mukdahan to Suwannakhet and ends up at Danang Port.
                 THE EAST-WEST CORRIDOR comprises three construction phases, the first is the bridge construction across the Mekhong including connecting roads for both ends. The second is the construction and rehabiltlitation of Highway No.9 in Laos and Vietnam; and the Final phase is the constuction and Extension of Danang Port.
The Survey and Detailed Design of the Second Mekhong Bridge Construction Project has been carried out by JICA under and assistance from the Goverment of japan. A bilaterral agreement has beenb signed among the concerned parties i.e. Japan,Thailand And laos on December 24, 1998. The Project will be commenced in the begining of the Year 1999 with the duration of 14 months. The expenditures the Project will be Financed Under OECF loan and the Project cost will be shared eqqually between the two countries i.e.,Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Kingdom of Thailand. The duration of the Bridge construction is three year from the year 2000.
2. Vlentlen Road Construction Prject
                      This project has been proposed for the assistances of the Kingdom of Thailand by the Lao People' s Democratic Republic and it comprises road construction in the inner of Vientien, i.e.Sam Yaek at Km.3 on Tha Dua Road-Government Guest House-Sam Yaek Phon Tan. The total distance of the road is 3.5 kilometers. As the project road urns through the Government Guest House and many important governmental place, the Kingdom of Thailand decided to assist the Laos people by improving the said route into 4 lanes asphaltic concrete road accommodating with drainage system and street lighting system. Department of Highways has engaged The Nawaratpatanakarn PCL. To construct the said road at the amount of Baht 57,641,200.- and the effectiveness of such contract has been from October 29,1998 to December 2,1999. Moreover, the removal cost of the road obstacles amounting to Baht 8.0 Million has been paid by the government of the Kingdom of Thailand. The government of the Lao People' s Democratic Republic expects the completion of the said road prior to its National Day, December 2,199, which is prior to Laos Tourism Year also.
3. The Survey and Design for Huay Kohn Pal Bang Project
                           The government of Thailand has granted an amount of Baht 10.0 million for the survey and design of the road which connects Amphoe Huay Kohn of Nan Province in Thailand and Pak Bang of Chai Buri District in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. This route is aimed for trade accessibility among these countries, as requested by the government of Laos. However, as the Loas government also requests an assistance which covers the feasibility and environmental study of the said road, the budget allocated to the project is not adequate. Thus, the project has to be placed for the cabinet re-consideration. The selection of the consultant for the said project has been carried out by Department of Highways so that the work can by commenced promptly after the cabinet approval of the project.

Asian Highway in Thailand         

Order to develop the highway route that connect to neighboring countries Department of Highways has also improved approximate 3,430 kilometer of the highways which are part of the Asian Highway in Thailand. The Asian Highway Project is aimed at the cooperation for international transportation improvement and the Asian Highway will connect one capital city to another and go through industrial cities, main ports, tourist places and major business centers. Fifteen countries have been engaged in the Asian Highway Project namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Myanmar and Mongolia.

           The Asian Highway network has 68,307 kilometers and connects 15 countries in Asia and Pacific.
           The network begins at the West, in Europe, and runs to the East at Vietnam and Philippines, to Southeast Asia at Indonesia and to the South at Sri Lanka.
          Asian Highway Route A-1, runs from the border of Myanmar at Ampoe Mae Sod a long Highway No. 105 to Changwat Tak then turn right for Highway No. 1 to Ampoe Payuhakiri and to straight along Highway No. 32 to Ampoe Bang Pa In and turn left for Highway No. 1 to Hin Kong then turn right again at Highway No. 33 through Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi and to border of Cambodia at Aranyaprathet. The route is paved along the way and the distance of which is approx. 698 kilometers.
          Asian Highway Route No. A-2, runs from the border of Myanmar at Amphoe Mae Sai along Highway No. 110 to Changwat Chiengrai and along Highway No. 1 to Amphoe Payuhakiri then run straight along Highway No. 32 to Ampoe Bang Pa In and turn right to Bangkok by Highway No. 1. From Bangkok the route runs along Highway No. 4 through Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Petchaburi, Prachaubkirikhan and Chumphon an runs along Highway Route No. 41 to Phattalung then turn left for Highway No. 4 again and runs through Hat Yai to meet the Malaysian Border at Amphoe Sadao. The route is approx. 1,945 kilometers and also paved.
             Asian Highway Route A-3, begins at the intersection of Asian Highway Route A-2 at Chiengrai and Highway No. 1020 and runs along Highway No. 1152 then reenter Highway No. 1020 and runs to the border at Amphoe Chiengkhong. The route is approx. 115 kilometers and also paved.
            Asian Highway Route A-12, begins at the intersection of Asian Highway Route A-1 at Hin Kong and runs along Highway No. 1 then turns right to Highway No. 2 through Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udorn Thani and ends at Nong Khai. The Route is 524 kilometers and paved.
           Asian Highway Route A-15, begins at the intersection of Asian Highway Route A-12 at Udorn Thani and Highway No. 22 where the route runs along this highway through Sakhon Nakhon and ends at Nakhon Phanom. The route is approx. 241 kilometers and paved.
          Asian Highway Route A-16, begins at the intersection of Asian Highway Route A-2 at Hat Yai and Highway o. 43 and proceed along this Highway through Pattani and Narathiwat to Highway No. 4056 and to the Malaysian Border at Amphoe Sungai Kolok. The route is approx. 275 kilometers and paved.

Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge Construction Project

Project Background
                  The United Nations has an opinion to construct the international highway that will link all countries around the world together and to constitute good friendship and peace between them. In Asia, the Asian Highway has been established by the United Nations and the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Federal Republic of Myanmar agreed that a bridge across the Mae Muay River will be constructed at Amoe Mae Sod in Tak Province of Thailand and Maew Vadee Province of Burma. This bridge will be a part of the Asian Highway network that connects the Kingdom of Thailand to the Federal Republic of Myanmar. An agreement of this consensus has been signed by both parties on October 20^th, 1994 in Rangoon. The Auspicious Stone Founding Ceremony was held on October 17^th, 1994 and the construction of this bridge was initially started on the following day.
Project Description
               The Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge has been designed into Reinforced Concrete Bridge. The carriageway is 8.00 meters in width and the sidewalk on each side of the bridge is 2.50 meters. The bridge has 14 spans altogether and the length of each span is 30.00 meters or 420 meters in total. The bridge construction was carried out by the Bridge Construction Center 1, a unit within Department of Highways who’s responsible is for the Department force account work. The construction cost is Baht 65.2 Million. The bridge approach areas in both Thailand and Myanmar have been developed into the same standard as the bridge. The construction of U-turn road under the bridge on each side has been completed by Tak Road Construction Center, which is also, one of the Department of Highways’ unit responsible for force account work, at the cost of Baht 39.4 Million.
The total construction cost of Thai government budget then comes to Baht 104.6 Million.
Project Implementation
              During construction, at nearly the end of the project a conflict on the Mae Muay River filling occurred and as the result of this event the construction work was suspended in the month of June 1996. The construction work was resumed in March 1997 and finally completed in July the same year. The Bridge Dedication Ceremony was officially held on 15^th August 1997.  

Highway Project Commencing in Fiscal Year 1999

Highway Project Completed in Fiscal Year 1999