Orange Line (Bangkok)

The MRT Orange Line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีส้ม) is a rapid transit lines of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand.

MRT Orange Line
รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีส้ม
Overview
StatusUnder Construction (Eastern Section)
Bidding and Tendering (Western Extension)
OwnerMass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
LocaleBangkok, Thailand
TerminiBang Khun Non
Yaek Rom Klao
Stations29
17 (Under construction)
12 (planned)
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemMRT
History
Planned opening2024 (Eastern section)
Technical
Line length35.86 kilometers (22.28 mi)
Track length22.57 kilometers (14.02 mi) (under construction) [1]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge
ElectrificationThird rail
Operating speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map

Taling Chan
 SRT 
Bang Khun Non
 MRT 
Siriraj
Sanam Luang
Democracy Monument
 MRT 
Lan Luang
Yommarat
 SRT 
Ban Tad Thong
Ratchathewi
 BTS 
Pratunam
Ratchaprarop
 ARL 
Rang Nam
Din Daeng
Pracha Songkhro
 MRL 
Thailand Cultural Centre
 MRT 
MRTA
Wat Phra Ram 9
Ramkhamhaeng 12
 MRL 
Ramkhamhaeng University
Rajamangala
Ramkhamhaeng 34
Yaek Lam Sali
 MRL 
Si Burapha
Khlong Ban Ma
Sammakon
Nom Klao
Rat Pattana
Wat Bang Pheng
Keha Ramkhamhaeng
Min Buri
 MRL 
Yaek Rom Klao

This Line is divided into two sections; the Eastern section from Suwinthawong - Thailand Cultural Centre (22.5km) and the 2nd phase Western section from Thailand Cultural Centre - Bang Khun Non (17.5 km). Construction of the 22.5km Eastern Section started in June 2017,[2] and the line is scheduled to open in March 2024.[3] On 3 July 2020, the MRTA released the tender for the design and construction of the Western extension.[4]

When fully completed, the MRT Orange line will be 35.9 km long with 29 stations (7 stations will be elevated for 8.9 km and 22 will be underground for 27 km), including an interchange with the current Thailand Cultural Centre Station of MRT Blue Line).

At the end of November 2020, construction had progressed to 72.74%.[5]

Alignment

The MRT Orange Line starts at Suwinthawong rd in Min Buri District in Bangkok's eastern suburbs as an elevated line running along Ramkhamhaeng Road. It will interchange with the future MRT Yellow Line at Lam Sali station. It then proceeds underground near Lam Sali intersection in Bang Kapi District, where there will be a transfer to the MRT Yellow Line. It continues southwest along Ramkhamhaeng Road, passing Hua Mak Stadium and Ramkhamhaeng University to Rama IX rd intersection. The line then proceeds west along Rama IX rd and crosses Pradit Manutham Road to the current Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) Headquarters and MRT Blue line depot. Then it routes north to the Thailand Cultural Centre Station to interchange with the MRT Blue Line.

The western section of the MRT Orange Line, runs west from Thailand Cultural Centre Station via Din Daeng housing estates and Bangkok City Hall 2 to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Sam Liam Din Daeng Junction. Then turns left into Ratchaprarop Road towards Pratu Nam and turns right into Phetchaburi Road then interchanges with BTS Sukhumvit Line at Ratchathewi Station. It continues along Lan Luang Road and Ratchadamnoen Avenue, then crosses the Chao Phraya River near Phra Pinklao Bridge, passes Siriraj Hospital and goes along Bangkok Noi Rail line and terminates at Bang Khun Non at Charan Sanitwong rd, where it interchanges with the MRT Blue Line.

History

The original plan of the MRT Orange Line aimed to serve travel demand between the northwestern area of Thonburi, at Bang Bamru Railway Station in Bang Phlat District, and the east of Bangkok in Bang Kapi District. It was planned to run along Ramkhamhaeng Road and Ratchawithi Road, passing many public places like Hua Mak Stadium, Dusit Zoo and Victory Monument, and provide access to universities including Ramkhamhaeng University, Suan Sunandha and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University and many government offices.

In 2009, the proposed MRT Brown line from Bang Kapi District, elevated along Ram Khamhaeng Road, to the eastern suburb in Saphan Sung District and Min Buri District, was merged with the Orange Line in Bangkok's mass rapid transit master plan.[6] In July 2011, the section from Bang Khun Non to Taling Chan was finally scrapped in favour of the SRT Light Red Line spur line which duplicates the same route.[7] In 2012, there were further notable changes made to the central and western sections of the Orange Line. The section from Din Daeng District to Bang Bamru was rerouted away from Victory Monument and Ratchawithi road route to further run south to Pratunam and then west along Petchaburi Road and Larn Luang Road. Continuing farther west along Ratchadamnoen Klang Road and Sanam Luang before passing under the Chao Praya river and finally terminating at Bang Khun Non to interchange with the MRT Blue Line extension.

The MRT Orange line was originally planned to be tendered by the end of 2013. However, due to protests by residents regarding station footprint and compulsory land acquisition around stations at Pratunam, Ratchaprarop, Pracha Songkhro and Soesim stations the MRTA needed another 12 months to redesign sections of the line.[8] Subsequently, political protests against the Thai government led to the metro transport funding bill lapsing when parliament was dissolved in December 2013. On 9 December 2015, Cabinet finally approved the Orange Line.

Construction Progress

On 19 April 2016, the Cabinet further approved a budget of 82.9 billion baht for Phase 1 East section to build 17 stations and 21.2 km of rail from the Thailand Cultural Centre to Minburi, of which 12.2 km will be underground and 9 km will be elevated.[9] Construction contracts were signed on 9 February 2017 between the MRTA and CKST Joint Venture consortium.[10] Construction finally started in June 2017 with a 1980 day construction period with a scheduled opening in October 2022.[11] Project construction is divided into 4 contracts.

As of 31 December 2017, the progress of civil works construction was at 4.66% according to the MRTA.[12] As of July 2018, overall construction progress is at 13.57%. As of August 2018, overall construction progress is at 16.21%.[13] By 30 September 2018, overall construction had progressed to 18.33%.[14] At the end of March 2019, construction has progressed to 32.12%.[15] At the end of July 2019, civil construction was at 42.27%.[16] At the end of October 2019, construction has progressed to 49.05%.[17] At the end of January 2020, construction had progressed to 54.93%.[18] By the end of May 2020, construction had progressed to 62.42%.[19] At the end of July 2020, construction had progressed to 66.06%.[20] On 5 October 2020, TBM number 2 finished tunneling and reached Ramkhamhaeng 12 station box as part of contract 2.[21] At the end of September 2020, was at 69.82%.[22]

At the end of November 2020, construction had progressed to 72.74%.[23]

The eastern section has a planned opening date of March 2024.

Construction contracts

Construction is divided into four separate contracts.

Contract 1 is for 6.29km underground and 4 underground stations from Thai Cultural Centre interchange station to Rankhamhaeng 12 station.

Contract 2 is for 3.44km underground and 4 underground stations from Ramkhamheang 12 station to Hua Mark station.

Contract 3 is for 4.04km underground and 3 underground stations from Hua Mark station to Klong Ban Ma station.

Contract 4 is 8.8km and 7 elevated stations from Klong Ban Ma to Suwinthawong terminus station.[24]

Contract Notes Kilometre Progress (31 November 2020)[25]
1 Thailand Cultural Centre to Ramkhamhaeng 12 (4 stations) 6.29 82.52%
2 Ramkhamhaeng 12 to Hua Mark (4 stations) 3.44 68.85%
3 Hua Mark to Klong Ban Ma (3 stations) 4.04 71.91%
4 Klong Ban Ma to Suwinthawong (7 stations) 8.8 61.83%
5 Rolling stock 76.05%
6 Signalling and Electrical 70.02%

Phase 2 Western Extension

The Phase 2 Western extension of the Orange line will run from Thailand Cultural Centre to Bang Khun Non via Pratunam. The 17.5km western section will run underground with 12 stations.

The Thai Cabinet was expected to approve the 121 billion baht budget for the Western extension in mid 2017 with a tender due for the 2nd half of 2017.[26] However, this decision was delayed until 2018 as Cabinet requested options to be considered for a joint public and private investment proposal.[27] There were further delays into 2019, but the MRTA finalised a joint PPP plan for Cabinet to approve in mid 2019.[28] On 28 January 2020, the Cabinet approved the 142 billion baht extension. It is expected to open in February 2026 and serve 439,000 passengers daily.[3][29]

On 3 July 2020, the MRTA released the tender for the design, construction and operation of the Western extension as a Public-Private Partnership project on a 30 year lease.[30] The tender closes on 23 September 2020 with the successful bidder expected to be announced in early October 2020. The tender specifies a construction period of 3 and a half years.

There are 10 tenders that purchased the request for proposal (RFP) form and two rival consortia were submit bids:

  • Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM).
  • BSR Consortium, led by Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC), and supported by BTS Group Holdings (BTS Group) and Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction (STECON).

Stations

In the table below, an italicised name indicates that the station is not yet in operation.

Code Station Name Thai Interchange Notes
Thailand Cultural Centre - Suwinthawong (Construction underway)
OR29 Yaek Rom Klao แยกร่มเกล้า
OR28 Min Buri มีนบุรี  MRL  (under construction)
OR27 Kheha Ramkhamhaeng เคหะรามคำแหง
OR26 Wat Bang Pheng วัดบางเพ็ง
OR25 Rat Phatthana ราษฎร์พัฒนา
OR24 Nom Klao น้อมเกล้า
OR23 Sammakon สัมมากร
OR22 Khlong Ban Ma คลองบ้านม้า Park & Ride service
OR21 Sri Burapha ศรีบูรพา
OR20 Yaek Lam Sali แยกลำสาลี  MRL  (under construction)

 MRT  (design phase)

OR19 Ramkhamhaeng 34 รามคำแหง 34
OR18 Rajamangala ราชมังคลา
OR17 Ramkhamhaeng University มหาวิทยาลัยรามคำแหง
OR16 Ramkhamhaeng 12 รามคำแหง 12
OR15 Wat Phra Ram 9 วัดพระราม 9  MRL  (proposed)
OR14 MRTA รฟม. Depot
OR13 Thailand Cultural Centre ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย  MRT  Park & Ride service
Bang Khun Non - Thailand Cultural Centre (Western Extension)
OR12 Pracha Songkhro ประชาสงเคราะห์  MRL  (planned)
OR11 Din Daeng ดินแดง
OR10 Rang Nam รางน้ำ
OR9 Ratchaprarop ราชปรารภ  ARL 
OR8 Pratunam ประตูน้ำ
OR7 Ratchathewi ราชเทวี  BTS : Ratchathewi Station
OR6 Yommarat ยมราช  SRT  (Proposed)
OR5 Lan Luang หลานหลวง
OR4 Democracy Monument อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย  MRT  extension (approved)
OR3 Sanam Luang สนามหลวง
OR2 Siriraj ศิริราช  SRT  (Proposed)
OR1 Bang Khun Non บางขุนนนท์  MRT   SRT  (Proposed)

See also

References

  1. "Six contracts signed for construction of B79.2bn Orange Line". Bangkok Post. 9 February 2017.
  2. "Six contracts signed for construction of B79.2bn Orange Line". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2017-02-12.
  3. Theparat, Chatrudee (30 October 2020). "Tangled lines". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  4. "MRT Orange Line extension tender". MRTA Website. 3 July 2020.
  5. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/pcb.2679457458937638/2679457252270992 MRTA Press, 8 December 2020
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-11. Retrieved 2010-03-17.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. http://www.manager.co.th/Business/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9540000082642
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-03-20. Retrieved 2014-03-20.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/939669/orange-line-wins-cabinet-approval
  10. http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/construction-orange-line-contracts-signed. Thai PBS, 9 February 2017
  11. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/1287118/lane-closures-for-orange-line-start-in-ramkhamhaeng. Bangkok Post, 14 July 2017
  12. https://www.mrta.co.th/th/news/information/ความก-าวหน-าการก-อสร-างรถไฟฟ-า-ณ-31-ธ-นวาคม-2560/. MRTA Press, 16 January 2018
  13. "MRT Orange Line Construction progress". Retrieved 2018-09-11.
  14. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/a.1433440196872710/2109998672550189/. MRTA Press, 12 October 2018
  15. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/a.1433440196872710/2214355752114480 MRTA Press, 12 April 2019
  16. https://www.facebook.com/MRTOrangeLineEast/photos/pcb.642832046196150/642831682862853 MRTA Press, 9 August 2019
  17. https://www.facebook.com/MRTOrangeLineEast/photos/pcb.642832046196150/642831682862853 MRTA Press, 10 November 2019
  18. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/a.1409211292628934/2436659376550782 MRTA Press, 7 February 2020
  19. https://www.facebook.com/MRTOrangeLineEast/photos/pcb.868116043667748/868111270334892 MRTA Press, 5 June 2020
  20. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/pcb.2574152359468149/2574151689468216 MRTA Press, 5 August 2020
  21. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=262457361675721 MAA Consultants Co Ltd, 6 October 2020
  22. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/pcb.2627818000768251/2627816464101738 MRTA Press, 8 October 2020
  23. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/pcb.2679457458937638/2679457252270992 MRTA Press, 8 December 2020
  24. http://thailand.ahk.de/fileadmin/ahk_thailand/Business/biddingannouncements/MRTA.pdf. MRTA Tender Invitation, 29 June 2016
  25. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/pcb.2679457458937638/2679457345604316/
  26. "B385bn Rail Projects expected to go ahead". Bangkok Post. 26 May 2017.
  27. "Ministry mulls Orange Line cost transfer". Bangkok Post. 15 August 2017.
  28. "B230bn for Orange Line". Bangkok Post. 7 May 2019.
  29. "MRT extension approved". Bangkok Post. 29 January 2020.
  30. "MRT Orange Line extension tender". MRTA Website. 3 July 2020.
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