BT20-BN HIGHWAY REPAIR PLAN IN PIPELINE

       The Highways Department is speeding up spending of its Bt20-billion budget to repair highways nationwide as part of its 'Straighten Thailand' scheme.
       The first agreement for repairing highways is to be signed on September 9, department director-general Supoj Saplom said.
       The Cabinet recently approved the economic stimulus package II under the 'Strong Thailand' scheme. Out of the total Bt200-billion package for the first allotment, about Bt23.63 billion has been allocated for the Highways Department. The amount would be used for repairing highways nationwide from now to next year.
       Supoj said the first priority is to repair highways nationwide with a total budget of Bt20 billion. The rest of the budget will be used for other programmes related to highways improvement.
       He said the department would sign a contract each for fixing highways in all provinces. Repairs and construction will be completed in four to six months.
       About 63,000 kilometres of the highways would be repaired with a total budget of Bt13.53 billion, of which Bt10.15 billion will be used up this year and Bt3.39 next year.
       For the main highways, there will be 22 projects, including road networks for a combined 291.14 kilometres worth Bt1.56 billion, of which Bt353 million will be used this year and the remaining Bt1.21 billion for next year. The highways improvement plan for 27 provinces will comprise 36 projects.