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Chiang Mai’s busiest neighbourhood is about to get a significant upgrade – or is it about to get even more congested?
On May 14, a public consultation forum was held at Chiang Mai University to gather input on the Smart Nimman project – an infrastructure overhaul of Nimmanhaemin Road that forms part of the broader Chiang Mai Smart City initiative.
In work since 2019, plans have finally emerged, giving us a first look at what Nimman may look like in not too many years from now. And while most of the changes look very positive, some people think the new, single-lane road will only bring more traffic to the already congested district.
Here’s what’s changing:
- All road cables will go underground (no more messy telegraph poles!)
- Wider pavements lined with trees and greenery
- A middle barrier down Nimmanheamin Road
- Designated drop off zones for cars and buses
- Cycling lanes
- Wooden benches, Lanna-inspired street lamps, artistic manhole covers
- New wayfinding signage throughout
The catch – and there is always a catch – is that construction will most certainly affect traffic in the interim. And with two new, thinner road layouts in the works, things could be equally busy even after construction is complete.
A middle barrier is reportedly part of the plan – one of the two proposed designs effectively reducing Nimmanhaemin to one lane of traffic in each direction.
Access to shops and businesses will also be affected, but the new designs certainly bring a splash of new life to the district – making it more friendly to pedestrians and beautifying the area quite significantly.
No confirmed start date has been announced yet. Watch this space – and maybe make plans to find an alternative route to your favourite café, just in case.