The Department of Highways will begin an M82 motorway free trial on the Ekachai to Ban Phaeo section from August 28 at 10am. The road will stay open 24 hours a day at no charge.
The new stretch runs 16.4 kilometres and opens with four access points. They are Phanthai Norasing, Maha Chai 1, Maha Chai 2 and Ban Phaeo. The Samut Sakhon 1 and Samut Sakhon 2 access points remain under construction.
Drivers can join the existing Bang Khun Thian to Ekachai section and continue straight through to Ban Phaeo. That gives about 25 kilometres of continuous elevated motorway.
Cars are limited to 80 kilometres per hour during the trial, the department said, and trucks and buses to 65 kilometres per hour. Pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, tricycles and carts are barred from the elevated road. All of them are directed to Rama II Road below.
Civil works across the wider M82 project stand at 98% complete. Installation of the toll and traffic control systems is expected to start in 2027 and take about two years. Toll collection is planned to begin in 2029, once construction finishes.
The route links the Kanchanaphisek southern ring road to M82 at the Bang Khun Thian interchange. From Ban Phaeo it continues on Highway 35 towards Samut Songkhram and the Wang Manao interchange in Pak Tho district, Ratchaburi.
Department of Highways Director-General Piyaphong Jiwattanakunphaisan confirmed the plan on August 14. The department said the extension will benefit Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, among other provinces.
Its 24-hour hotline, 1586, takes road information requests and complaints. Further details on the announcement were carried by Thai PBS.
In similar news
M82 motorway nears opening, free trial starts in August
Construction halted on Rama II Road for new year travel ease
Rama 2 Road construction misses deadline again
Source:
The story M82 motorway free trial opens Ekachai to Ban Phaeo on August 28 as seen on Thaiger News.
