MRTA Purple Line, Bangkok, Thailand
Aurecon worked closely with the MRTA and Italian-Thai Development to oversee the design, planning and construction of Bangkok's MRT Purple Line.
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Introduced to Thailand as a public transport solution to road congestion and travel delays faced by commuters, MRT Purple Line supports the densely packed urban centres northwest and south of the country’s capital, Bangkok.
Extending the line to the south will include 17 stations, where 10 of them are underground stations. It will connect with the existing Purple Line running from Bang Yai to Tao Pun at Tao Pun interchange.
Following our role on the original Purple Line, Aurecon has been appointed as the main designer on the Purple Line Contract 3. This role includes design of rail track alignment, twin tunnels, underground civil structures, two rail stations and three intervention shafts for one section of the extension.
Stretching more than 3 kilometres, the bored tunnels will be constructed approximately 25 to 35 metres below ground, including a section passing under the Chao Phraya River. This contract also includes undergound civil structues, architectural detailing for the stations, building services and fire life safety.
For the urban centres with no current rail transport access, the Purple Line will improve the lives of people with connectivity and accessibility to work, family, education and leisure centres.
Along the route of Contract 3 is a plethora of colonial style buildings, historical temples and canals along Maha Chai Road and Phra Pokklao Road to be protected. For the safety of these structures, and the construction works, achieving success in this urbanised environment relies on planning and construction sequencing.
All steps are taken to ensure that construction will not interfere with existing below ground structures and that works will be able to proceed with minimal interruptions to the flow of traffic and people at ground level.
A project risk analysis is conducted during the design process to inform the required construction sequencing.
Of the full length of the section of twin tunnels designed by Aurecon, 250 metres will extend under the Chao Phraya River, one of the major waterway systems in Bangkok. The high hydrostatic pressure that this places on the ground beneath is a significant challenge for engineers. The tunnel boring machine will be selected to handle the earth pressure balance of the 5.7 metre diameter tunnel and limit the volume of earth excavation required.
Aurecon is approaching this challenge with a design that includes stiffer structural support of the section beneath the river, and temporary works with groundwater control for station and intervention shafts.
Temporary works will also provide the required lining for excavation in the soft ground of the tunnel and support both top-down and bottom-up construction.
Once operational, the Purple Line will help ease traffic conditions and provide residents in Bangkok’s outer urban suburbs with a convenient means of public transport to travel to central, and other parts, of Bangkok. Aurecon is proud to be associated with this landmark project that improves the lives of Thai residents.
Aurecon worked closely with the MRTA and Italian-Thai Development to oversee the design, planning and construction of Bangkok's MRT Purple Line.
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