Country's first river tunnel below Chao Phraya River is underway

The tunnel  will run under the Chao Phraya river for a distance of 200 meters. It is the first time that such a river tunneling  has been undertaken in the country.

Upon completion, commuters on the Thonburi side of Bangkok will find it more convenient to travel into the city.

The decision to construct the Blue Line electric train link, which is expected to be completed within the next two years, is a good news for residents living on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya river.

The line is an extension on the existing line and will run from Sanam Chai – Tha Phra. The digging of a tunnel which will stretch under the Chao Phraya has begun at the Issaraphap station on Soi 34 on Issaraphap road.

The depth at which the tunnel will be bored, which is part of the construction of the Issaraphap station, is comparable to the height of a ten story condominium.

From this station, the electric train will connect to the Tha Phra station further along the line.

The construction of the tunnel at this location is almost complete and will run a total distance of 300 meters and upon completion will allow residents of Thonburi to travel into the city in a matter of few minutes.

The total distance of the Blue Line extension line is approximately 2.6 kms and will include two underground stations at Sanam Chai and Issaraphap road.

The tunnel will be constructed with concrete strengthened with high tensile steel cables.

Manager of the Blue Line electric rail extension project Praphon Chanpradapfah said most of the tunneling will be through mostly sandy soil.

Most of the boring or tunneling that has been carried out in the country will encounter sandy soils and great care must be taken in the construction of the tunnel.

“What you must understand is that what is critical is not soil pressure but the pressure of water that will be pressing on the tunnel,” he said.

Chief executive officer of Ch Karnchang Plc Plew Trivisvavet said that when  the project is completed, residents on both sides of the river whether from Bangkok city or those living on the Thonburi side will have an easier time travelling to and from.

He said passenger traffic on the Blue Line from Thonburi alone will amount to no less than 300,000 commuters per day.

Meanwhile construction of the ventilation tower located close to the Wat Kalayanamit Woramahawiharn temple on the banks of the Chao Phraya River is also underway.

This is also the location where the tunnel drilling rig for tunneling under the river will be based.

This the first time that such a task has been attempted in the country and the drilling process entails drilling 10 meters below the river bed with the depth of the river itself being 20 meters.

The Blue Line electric rail project is a major construction project that will have a significant impact on the transportation system in the capital.

The project will greatly reduce severe traffic congestion on the Thonburi side of Bangkok.

he extension of the line from Hua Lampong station to Bang Khae is expected to be completed by the year 2017 and will include four underground stations that will connect to seven elevated stations.

When completed, the entire Blue Line will connect Bang Sue and Tha Phra with a further eight stations and will allow residents of Bangkok and its periphery the use of a dedicated electric rail line which will reduce travel time significantly.

Soucre: Thai Public Broadcasting Service (ThaiPBS)