THAILAND’s Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) has reportedly selected preferred bidders for two major construction contracts to extend commuter lines in Bangkok, covering 29.3km of new line at a total cost of Baht 20.8bn ($US 666.1m).
According to The Bangkok Post, after submitting the lowest bid of Baht 6.6bn, some Baht 7m below the median estimated cost, Unique Engineering and Construction (Uniq) has been selected for the contract to extend what is now known as the Dark Red Line northwards for 8.8km from Rangsit to Thammasat Rangsit, serving the Rangsit campus of Thammasat University. There will be intermediate stations at Khlong Nueng, Bangkok University and Chiang Rak.
The UT joint venture of Uniq and Trusty Construction is preferred bidder to build the 20.5km Siriraj - Taling Chan - Salaya section of the Light Red Line extension, with three new stations at Rama VI, Bang Kruai-Egat, and Baan Chim Phli. Several previously planned sections have been combined as a single contract, for which UT bid Baht 14.7bn, around Baht 9bn lower than the median estimate.
MRTA will assess bidder credentials and enter into price negotiations before announcing contract award, which is expected next month.
Construction of both projects is expected to take 36 months, with completion targeted for February 2029 ahead of planned opening in March that year.
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