Abstract:
Bridge construction projects have impacts on the vicinity areas, the most immediate of which are circulation and traffic patterns, noise, and aesthetics. Bridges may stimulate or induce other actions such as more rapid land development of changes in patterns of social and economic activities. This study was attempted to evaluate the impact of Somdej Phrachao Taksin Maharaj Bridge in terms of socioeconomic, population, landuse, public utility services, and transportation consequences on the vicinity areas including public perception after the bridge was opened. The results obtained will be of some usefulness for future project planning and implementation. In order to pursue the impact of the bridge, an attempt was made to integrate two distinctive methods of evaluation. One is the analysis of socio-economic statistics including population, education, tax revenues, expenditures and revenues, landuse, public utility services, and traffic data by spatial comparison as well as time series comparison. The other is questionnaire survey and evaluation of the perception of the people concerning the value of changes caused by the bridge. It has been found that Somdej Phrachao Taksin Maharaj Bridge seems to have a wide area of influence due to its location at the fringe of central areas of both banks. The effects have both direct and indirect impacts. The direct impacts which give benefits are the travel time saving and travel distance reducing. The people reported saving in travel cost and getting more convenience. The negative effects by the bridge are that it may increase air and noise pollution caused by the development traffic. As for the indirect impact caused by the bridge, it attributed to the growth of population in some Khets and hence induced economic and social development, such as in Khet Yannawa and Khet Khlong San. On the other hand they may have helped to reduce the population of some high density Khets such as Khet Bang Rak and Khet Thonburi. Relating to this are the secondary benefits such as the stimulation of land development on Khet Yannawa and Khet Thonburi accompanied by the intensified social and economic activities. The results of the questionnaire survey showed that the general public recognized small increase in employment opportunity. However, they noticed high increase in land price. Among those demanding additional bridges, it is obvious that the most desired location is at Phra Pradaeng, 23 kilometers downstream of Krungthep Bridge because both banks in the vicinity are heavily industrial.