R118 Road Works # 2 - Mae Suai.

[DavidFL]

The next stage of the R118 dual carriageway development has started. This time from the northern end from Mae Suai - R1 junction.

Currently they are just preparing & clearing the land either side of the old road.

Along R118 here, there are multiple streams that run into the Mae Lao river, which the road crosses & new bridges will have to be built for these.
The project is a claimed 3-year process.

The 4-lane development at the southern end from Doi Saket - Mae Kachan took just on 5 years.

R118 Road Works

Just a few pics to highlight the ongoing road works on R118 between Doi Saket & Mae Kachan. The work that is going on is impressive as is the amount of machinery & staff out there. In late February there is about 2 kms of annoying dirt it's best if you don't get caught up behind the water...

www.gt-rider.com

Let's hope the top end development does not take as long!

In time if you are going to Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai it maybe quicker to avoid this section & take R1 from Chiang Rai to Phayao, then R120 to me Kachan, because sure it wil get very dusy & congested with traffic banked up through the road works = a less than enjoyable ride!

 

[DavidFL]

These road improvements are storming along & already for me it is a lot faster than the old road, despite the road works.
Why?

Well, they've cut out all the little hills that came down to the roadside, creating those endless blind corners where you could not over take safely.

So now, you can actually see ahead clearly through all the corners and overtake a lot more, plus carry more speed.

A few drone images from a Northern News Website.

 

[DavidFL]

Update 29 July 2024.
R118 will be further upgraded from Wiang Pa Pao north for 27 kms to south of Mae Suai.

Bids have been called for the next phase of R118 as a 4-lane highway.

Source Thailand Update.

 

[DavidFL]

Update 7 November 2024.
Here are a few pictures from in a car returning to Chiang Khong after three weeks in Oz and Phillip Island MotoGP.

Some sections with new concrete on half the 4-lane dual carriageway being built.

 

[DavidFL]

Update 23 November 2024.

There's a lot more concrete at the North end, such that you don't need to ride on any dirt, except when you swap from side to side.

Riding the Yamaha Nmax scooter, I hardly needed to slow down and passee everyone through the road works.
Only the dust can be a bit annoying.

 

[DavidFL]

Update April 2026
5 years on from when they first started - it is an ongoing process.
At the top northern end there is quite a bit completed, but the bridges are the delay.

The uncompleted bridge over the irrigation canal

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The complete bridge by the Mae Lao race track R1211 turn off

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Heading south to Charin & Mae Suai

South of Mae Suai - Wiang Pa Pao: more bridges.

I found the road surface generally normal, actually no dirt to ride on, but the old asphalt is not in great condition anymore.
However the build up of traffic & slow moving vehicles is what causes frustration & annoyance, especially when incompetent drivers cannot look at the space & go, but linger back, slowing everyone down.
I rode to Chiang Mai on a Wednesday & the traffic was busy and congested. A painful ride.
The return on a Sunday was actually quite ok, except I stopped for more photos.

Please yourself which way you go Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai.