East side by-pass.

[nkped 1,208]

Coming north on Sukhumvit south of town there is now a sign up at the entrance to the by-pass for Highway 7/Bangkok. It's covered with a white mesh but you can read it. There is also surface level construction consistent with adding turning lanes.

[misteregg 709]

There is a new motorway being constructed up to U Tapao airport but it’s years from completion.

[forcebwithu 4,857]

^^^ You were right about being years from completion, but the completion date has finally arrived. Opens 22 May.

Motorists can zip down new Pattaya-Map Ta Phut motorway for free until Aug 31

The Highways Department will open the extended section of Motorway No 7 (Pattaya-Map Ta Phut) on May 22 and allow motorists to use the section for free until the end of August, director-general Sarawut Songsiwilai said on Sunday.

“Motorway No 7 connects Bangkok to Banchang district in Rayong and is part of the department’s 20-year strategic plan to develop the interprovincial motorway network,” he said. “It currently ends at Pattaya. The extended section will now run from Pattaya to Map Ta Phut in Rayong.”

Sarawut explained that the 32-kilometre extended section comprises three toll booths – at Huai Yai, Khao She On and Map Ta Phut districts.“

The cost of the project was Bt17.78 billion, comprising Bt6 billion for land expropriation and Bt11.78 billion for construction. The extended section was 100 per cent financed by profit from toll fee collections on Highway 7 and Highway 9,” he said.“

From May 22, the public can use the section for free starting at the U-Tapao toll booth. After August 31, the toll fee for Motorway No 7 will be Bt25-130 for four-wheel vehicles, Bt45-210 for six-wheel vehicles and Bt60-305 for other vehicles.”

“The Bangkok-Banchang Motorway No 7 is an important route that completes the transportation network in the Eastern Economic Corridor and will connect existing and future marine and air transportation routes,” he added. “It will also promote inter-border trade with neighbouring countries, reduce traffic congestion on main highways and drive the local economy.”