Highway Department Races to Reopen 16 Damaged Routes in Nan
The Department of Highways is rushing to repair 16 damaged routes across four provinces after flash flooding devastated Nan, with two temporary bridges expected to reopen by August 22 and crews working around the clock on other sections.
The Department of Highways is deploying staff, machinery, and equipment to restore routes devastated by flash flooding in Nan province, with ten locations severely damaged out of 16 affected highways across four provinces. Two temporary bailey bridges are being urgently installed and are expected to reopen to traffic on August 21-22, while many other routes remain impassable. Authorities are urging the public to avoid affected areas and verify conditions before traveling.
As of August 20 at noon, 16 highway sections across four provinces have been damaged by flooding, with eight open to traffic and eight closed. Nan province has been hardest hit with ten damaged sections, of which only two are passable. The Department of Highways is coordinating with local highway offices and divisions in neighboring provinces to tackle damage on each route.
Two temporary bailey bridge installations are underway: Highway 1256 at Ban Mon bridge in Pua District, where a 10-meter section of the bridge deck is missing, with assembly beginning on August 20 and traffic expected to reopen on August 21; and Highway 1371 at Huay Tat bridge in Pua District, where two bridge sections are missing and one pier has subsided, with a 30-meter bridge installation planned for the morning of August 21 and traffic expected to reopen on August 22.
Repairs to bridge abutments and road surfaces are underway at Ban Phai bridge on Highway 1371 and Sop Bua bridge on Highway 1170, expected to reopen by evening on August 20. Highway 1256 between kilometers 1+500 and 2+100 in Ban Kaem village is being restored, while the section at kilometer 8+000 at Huay Yen curve remains heavily damaged and inaccessible to vehicles as officials assess the situation. Crews are also clearing landslides to open temporary routes on highways 1371, 1071, and 1256 around the clock.
The Department of Highways is asking the public to plan travel carefully, avoid flood-affected roads, and strictly follow warning signs. Updates on the disaster situation can be tracked through the Department of Highways HDMS system, and the 24-hour hotline 1586 is available for road information and assistance.
