The Rural Roads Department plans to sign contracts with CHEC Construction (Malaysia) around late August or early September 2026, after cabinet approves a World Bank loan. The Songkhla Lake bridge (4,841m baht, 7 km) cuts the Phatthalung-Songkhla detour from 80 km to 7 km; the Koh Lanta bridge (1,854m baht, 2.24 km) cuts travel from 2 hours to under 5 minutes. Construction takes 1,080 days, targeting completion in 2029. Local firms in construction supply, transport, and tourism services in these areas should plan for work and demand from around 2027 onward, not immediately.