On December 24, 2024, Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, announced that the Cabinet approved the construction of the Motorway No. 5 (M5) Elevated Highway project. This extension of the Don Mueang Tollway will cover approximately 22 kilometers, beginning at the current endpoint near the Royal Thai Mint and ending at the Bang Pa-in Interchange in Ayutthaya Province.
The elevated highway, built along the median of Phahonyothin Road, will feature six lanes and seven entry/exit points. The project will be executed as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Gross Cost model, where the private sector will finance construction while the state retains ownership. The total project cost is estimated at 79.92 billion baht.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasized the importance of ensuring the project's feasibility, as raised by the National Economic and Social Development Council. The Ministry of Transport is tasked with selecting and negotiating with private sector partners to maximize state benefits.