A bridge project in Phnom Penh, estimated at $60 million, broke ground this year. This project funded by a partnership between Cambodia and China is expected to ease traffic congestion in the city.
Phnom Penh: a Growing City with Rising Traffic Challenges
Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city, is the nation’s center for economic and industrial services. The city is home to 2.8 million residents, a number which is vastly increasing over time. With the rising population, the city now faces an unavoidable congestion dilemma.
Due to the city’s lack of road infrastructure and public transportation, the government is looking at ways to enhance road networks in the city. Previously, studies on Skytrains and subways have been conducted to help solve the growing traffic issue.
One of the key solutions for the city is the construction of the Chak Angre-Prek Pra bridge. This bridge will be the 8th of a portfolio of 7 operational bridges in the city of Phnom Penh.
This project is also the first major infrastructure project commenced under the term of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet, since his inauguration last February 2023.
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Technical Overview of Chak Angre-Prek Pra Bridge
During the groundbreaking ceremony for the Chak Angre-Prek Pra bridge last February 2024, Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian were in attendance. Ambassador Wang Wentian commented that China is committed to investing in Cambodia’s infrastructure sector, further praising the two countries partnership.
Funding for the Chak Angre-Prek Pra bridge was secured through a loan from China, and funds from the Cambodian government.
Construction on the bridge commenced in Q1 of 2024 and is expected to be completed by Q3 of 2027.
This project is an 845-meter bridge from Chak Angre to the south of Phnom Penh and across the Bassac River to Prek Pra. The bridge will feature four-lane roads and will have a total width of 27 meters. The bridge will have separate lanes for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
The construction of the Chak Angre-Prek Pra Bridge is undertaken by a Shanghai construction company with technical supervision under Guangzhou Wanan Technical Consulting.
As of May 2024, the Chak Angre-Prek Pra bridge boasts of 10% completed. A number significantly higher than the expected progress rate of 0.6%.
The 8th bridge project in Phnom Penh City
Once completed, the Chak Angre-Prek Pra bridge of Phnom Penh is expected to ease traffic in the city. There will be improved transport of goods, services, and logistics for the area.
The addition of the Chak Angre-Prek Pra bridge brings Phnom Phen to a total of 8 bridges, 7 of which are already in use and operational. In total Cambodia has 19 major bridges, with 3 already under construction and another 3 in the planning phase.
While bridge projects will not be the end-all solution to the traffic woes of Phnom Penh City, the government’s continued effort in infrastructure development will improve the lives of the citizens.
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