SAMUT SAKHON — Authorities have completed the removal of the final section of the main steel truss from the M82 elevated motorway project after a concrete segment and launching gantry crane collapsed at a construction site on Rama II Road.
The incident occurred at about 09:15 on 15 January 2026 at the Highway No. 82 (M82) elevated motorway project on the Bang Khun Thian–Ban Phaeo route, Ekachai–Ban Phaeo stretch, in Tha Chin subdistrict, Mueang Samut Sakhon district, Samut Sakhon province. The collapse involved a concrete segment and a launching gantry crane used in building the elevated roadway.
According to the Bureau of Bridge Construction, work throughout 18 January focused on dismantling the steel structure of M82 Section 7. Operations included removing the front section of the main truss, cutting and lowering the front and middle sections, and successfully lifting down and removing the final truss segment. This marked the completion of operations by the 200-tonne and 550-tonne cranes. The remaining task is to break the main truss into smaller components for storage at an appropriate site.
At about 09:00 on 19 January 2026, reporters observed traffic conditions on Rama II Road in both inbound and outbound directions to Bangkok. The day marked the first working day and the first school day of the week.
Outbound traffic from the entrance to Maha Chai town to the collapse site was moving slowly and stopping intermittently. Vehicles were diverted from the main carriageway to a single parallel lane near Mahachai 3 Hospital, compounded by traffic descending from the overpass linking Setthakit Road and Maha Chai, resulting in severe congestion. Traffic returned to normal speeds after passing the collapse site or beyond the turn-off to the Samut Sakhon provincial transport office.
Inbound traffic to Bangkok showed similar conditions, with slow movement and occasional standstills. Vehicles coming down from the Tha Chin River bridge were diverted briefly to a parallel road for about 200 to 300 metres before rejoining the main lanes near Talay Thai Market, where traffic flow improved.
