Thai-Belgian Bridge to Remain Closed Until School Resumes

Traffic congestions on Monday seen by the Thai-Belgian Bridge, shown operable solely on its eastbound side.

BANGKOK — While the Thai-Belgian Bridge will be closed 6 weeks longer than originally expected, the city vows that Rama IV Road will be saved from its traffic nightmare just in time for school to resume.

Thungmahamek traffic police said Monday the busy flyover at the Witthayu intersection will need another 58 days starting today until May 15, to mend structural damage sustained in a fire last month.

Only the eastbound side of the bridge is currently open to traffic for both ways to share.

Except during rush hours, from 6am to 9am, only westbound traffic headed toward Hua Lamphong will be allowed. From evening hours between 3pm to 8pm, traffic will only flow east toward Khlong Toei.

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On Feb. 28, a fire started under the bridge where the district office stored trash bins. Exposed to flames for an hour, the bridge had to be shut for safety reasons after an inspection found its steel girders had warped from the heat.

It will reopen fully by May 16, which is usually the first day of school, said police. Lt. Col. Jessada Khumsatra.

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