After years of limbo and delay caused by unforeseen land access issues, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has finally given the Grey Line electric monorail the green lights!
The proposed Grey Line will connect several areas that are currently underserved by mass transit. The BMA has divided the route into three phases:
The First Phase: Connecting Vacharapol Road to the Thonglor neighborhood.
The Second Phase: Phra Khanong to Rama III Road.
The Third Phase: Rama III Road to the Tha Phra neighborhood.
The First Phase will consist of 16.2-km length of track, starting at Vacharapol and connecting residential and commercial areas such as Ladprao, Rama IX Road, Phetchaburi Road and finally Thonglor. The Third Phase the Lumpini Park- Tha Phra section will be a total of 19-km in length and will start at Soi Suan Phlu near Sathorn Road and connect areas notably Rama III Road, Sathu Pradit Road, Charoean Rat Road, Charoen Krung, Talat Phlu and Tha Phra.
The BMA has anticipated a delay on the Second Phase of the route and are instead planning to begin the construction of the other two phases in 2021. The City Administration has earmarked an estimated 40 billion baht development cost for the two phases of the project.
The Grey Line monorail has been endorsed by the Ministry of Transport; with The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning supporting this project as a way to alleviate the heavy traffic congestion in the areas along the planned route. The exact specifics of the two phases, are still under review and BMA Officials will be conducting feasibility and Environment Impact Assessment studies before finalizing the electric train project.
If the construction of the Grey Line mass transit project proceeds as planned in 2021, this will be a welcomed boost for the real estate in the areas along the route. Reinforcing the residential popularity and appeal of areas such as Thonglor and bringing better travel connectivity and convenience to areas such Ladprao, Charoen Krung and the Rama III area.
Source: Bangkok Post
