The Thai government expects to announce contractors for construction of two motorway sections this month after steel price hikes derailed a recent tender process.
The sections are part of the 196km motorway connecting Bang Pa-in district in Ayutthaya with Nakhon Ratchasima in the northeast, according to a report in the Bangkok Post.
The project, costing nearly US$2 billion, is divided into 40 sections, 25 of which are scheduled to be built this year. But the Highways Department has signed only one contractor so far, for construction of a 3.6km section in Saraburi, the Post reported. The department had to cancel the bidding on five sections because the winners -- Italian-Thai Development and Nawarat Patanakarn – raised their prices after a 40% rise in steel prices.
The Post quoted unnamed sources in the Highways Department saying discussions failed between the government and two winners to reach a new price, meaning another bidding round will be scheduled. The department is also now revising its own cost estimates for the highway construction.
The sections are part of the 196km motorway connecting Bang Pa-in district in Ayutthaya with Nakhon Ratchasima in the northeast, according to a report in the Bangkok Post.
The project, costing nearly US$2 billion, is divided into 40 sections, 25 of which are scheduled to be built this year. But the Highways Department has signed only one contractor so far, for construction of a 3.6km section in Saraburi, the Post reported. The department had to cancel the bidding on five sections because the winners -- Italian-Thai Development and Nawarat Patanakarn – raised their prices after a 40% rise in steel prices.
The Post quoted unnamed sources in the Highways Department saying discussions failed between the government and two winners to reach a new price, meaning another bidding round will be scheduled. The department is also now revising its own cost estimates for the highway construction.
