At 9:30 AM on December 3, Apirat Chaiwongnoi, Director-General of the Department of Highways, inspected progress on the removal of steel trusses suspended above Rama II Road. Six large cranes have been positioned, with motion-detecting sensors and other critical safety equipment installed. Engineers and experts are currently assessing the safest methods and locations for lifting the structures to ensure maximum safety.
A ceremony honoring local spirits was also performed at the site, reflecting cultural practices.
The immediate priority is addressing traffic issues on Rama II Road, a key route to southern Thailand. Temporary detours have been arranged to alleviate congestion. The removal process, conducted in collaboration with engineering experts from organizations such as the Engineering Institute of Thailand, the Council of Engineers, and Italian-Thai Development Public Co., Ltd., includes structural assessments and risk analysis to guarantee safe operations. Heavy machinery, including two 550-ton cranes, one 400-ton crane, and two 360-ton cranes, is already on-site, along with safety personnel and protective measures.
The Department emphasized its commitment to restoring the road for public use while prioritizing safety. The initial plan involves removing broken steel trusses and three dangling concrete beams. Although no significant movement has been detected by the installed sensors, the system will monitor for any shifts during the operation and provide warnings if necessary.
Work will begin on the outbound lanes first to expedite traffic restoration. Details on the timing of the operation will be announced after expert reviews are complete.