The End is Near!

"In order to get competitive bids and establish a set timetable for completion at the beginning of construction we selected seven contractors agreeing to work on one kilometer of road each to widen, pave and fit with proper drainage, sidewalks and curbing the seven kilometer road improvement project," the popular Pattaya mayor said in an exclusive interview with Pattaya Times.

After delays from the more than 500 property owners who asked for compensation for land needed for the public right-of-way to widen the two-lane road to a six lane road, all parties are satisfied and there are no more disputes so the construction is now able to get back on schedule, he added.

"We always planned for completion, by contract, of the Thappraya Road widening at the end of 2009. In fact, it is written in all seven agreements with the contractors that if they are not completed all the way from the Third Road fly-over to Jomtien Second Road in Jomtien they have to pay Pattaya City back a substantial fine for every day there is a delay," the savvy mayor said.

The construction came at a good time for many local businesses in the long run (although few surveyed realize it now) in that due to many factors, there have been few customers at most businesses everywhere for the last year and next year as the world economy improves more and more customers and commuters will be around to frequent the fine restaurants, hotels and residential projects along Thappraya Road. If the construction was scheduled during boom times, the local businesses would miss out on potential revenue not present now.

                                                                 Thappraya Road construction completed near Third Road interchange.

The current Pattaya administration will be credited with many major road improvements like the widening of Thappraya Road, the two new local roads in east Pattaya that run parallel to Sukhumvit Highway, the creation of Jomtien Second Road from Thappraya Road past Chayapruek Road and the extension of Highway 7 to go from central Pattaya to the airport and beyond to Bangkok. All road projects improve traffic flow and lessen travel time. The improved surfaces also will reduce traffic accidents, city engineers say.