Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Other name(s) | Hopewell Project (Thai: โครงการโฮปเวลล์) |
Native name | โครงการระบบการขนส่งทางรถไฟยกระดับในกรุงเทพมหานคร |
Status | Cancelled |
Owner | Hopewell (Thailand) Ltd. (Hopewell Holdings) |
Locale | Bangkok Metropolitan Region |
Service | |
Type | Urban rail transit |
System | Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System |
Services | 2 |
Rolling stock | AdTranz electric multiple units |
Technical | |
Line length | 60.10 km (37.34 mi) |
Number of tracks | Double-track |
Character | Elevated |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Electrification | Third rail 750V DC |
Operating speed | 80 km/h (50 mph) |
The Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System (BERTS, Thai: โครงการระบบการขนส่งทางรถไฟยกระดับในกรุงเทพมหานคร), commonly known as the Hopewell Project (Thai: โครงการโฮปเวลล์) after main contractor Hopewell Holdings, was a failed project to build an elevated highway and rail line from central Bangkok to Don Mueang International Airport.
Construction started in 1990, but was suspended by the first government of Anand Panyarachun in 1992, and was finally halted by legal acrimony in 1997 with only 10-13% complete. The project was cancelled in 1998.[1] Due to its resemblance to standing stones, it was comically nicknamed "Thailand's Stonehenge". As of 2024, some idle pillars are still standing and litigation about the project continues.[2]