The construction of the new bridge crossing the Bassac River, connecting Chak Angre Krom and Prek Pra, is now about 53 percent complete. The Minister of Public Works and Transport is urging the construction company to speed up work and finish the project ahead of its planned deadline. However, the Minister strongly emphasized that the bridge’s quality and safety must be guaranteed.
The new bridge is located in Phnom Penh, linking the west side (Chak Angre Krom in Meanchey District) and the east side (Prek Pra in Chbar Ampov District). The Ministry of Public Works reports that the project costs $60 million, which Cambodia secured through a loan from the Chinese government. The work is being handled by the Shanghai Construction Group, with Guangzhou Wanan consulting on the project.
Construction started in mid-February 2024. The bridge will be 845.70 meters long and 27 meters wide. It is designed for efficient movement with:
- Four lanes for cars
- Two lanes for motorcycles
- Two lanes for pedestrians
Once finished, this new route will significantly reduce traffic jams on the existing Preah Monivong Bridge and provide a crucial link to National Road 1. More importantly, it will boost business and social connections between southern Phnom Penh and the new Techo Takhmao International Airport. Overall, the bridge will improve transportation and goods movement (logistics) in the capital, ease traffic along the Bassac River, and speed up development in the entire region.