Plans to build two tunnels to ease traffic congestion at the Bypass Road/Tesco Lotus intersection and at the Thai Naan/Central Festival intersection have been given a final once over by the Highway Department and Phuket Vice Governor.

The meeting, held at the Metropole hotel, was also attended by several private engineer groups who were there as consultants and to present their detailed designs of their solutions to the traffic problem.

Chief Engineer of the Highway Department, Sombat Charoenpat said that as Highway 402 is a main route that links popular attractions in Phuket, it?s very important that the design is as effective as possible, ?If these two intersections were to be improved, then this would be much safer and more convenient for the Phuket people,? he said.

Kasem Sriwaranand, the Director of the Highway Department, said that the three key elements that must be considered when building either a tunnel or bridge were the engineering feasibility and the economic and environmental impact.

It was thus decided that the most appropriate solution would be to build a tunnel under Highway 402, which runs right under what now stands as the intersection, it is hoped that this will decrease the traffic.

Khun Kasem said, ?The design of the two tunnels? plans will be finished by the end of July and we estimate that a budget of around a billion in total will be needed.

Khun Kasem added that the funds will be used from next year?s budget and that the Bypass Road/ Tesco Lotus tunnel will be the first to be started as it is the most densely trafficked area.

Plans for the second tunnel at the Thai Naan/Central Festival are still under review depending on the ?situation in the future.?