Rama IX Bridge
Rama IX Bridge (Thai: สะพานพระราม ๙, RTGS: Saphan Phra Ram Kao, pronounced [sā.pʰāːn pʰráʔ rāːm kâːw]) is a bridge in Bangkok, Thailand over the Chao Phraya River. It connects the Yan Nawa District to Rat Burana District as a part of the Tha Ruea – Dao Khanong Section of Chaloem Maha Nakhon Expressway.
Rama IX Bridge สะพานพระราม ๙ | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 13.682058°N 100.519001°E |
| Carries | Chaloem Maha Nakhon Expressway |
| Crosses | Chao Phraya River |
| Locale | Bangkok, Thailand |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | cable-stayed |
| Total length | 781.20 m |
| Width | 33 m |
| Height | 87 m |
| Longest span | 450 m |
| Clearance below | 41 m |
| No. of lanes | 6 |
| History | |
| Construction start | 1 October 1984 |
| Opened | 5 December 1987 |
| Location | |
The bridge was named in the honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 60th birthday. The opening date coincided with the king's birthday, with a million people walking over it. It was the first cable-stayed bridge in Thailand and had the second-longest cable-stayed span in the world when it opened in 1987.
The original colour scheme, with white pylons and black cables, was replaced with an all yellow scheme representing the king in 2006.
A new eight-lane double-pylon cable-stayed bridge paralleling the Rama IX Bridge has been under construction for some time. Part of the Rama III-Dao Khanong-Western Bangkok Outer Ring Road expressway project, it is intended to relieve traffic congestion on the existing single-pylon bridge. The new bridge's official opening will be in early 2024, after which the Rama IX bridge will be closed for an extensive renovation, which includes a sensor system for added safety.