Underwater Construction Begins on Chinese-Built Bridge Project in Cambodia
On Friday, underwater work commenced on a Chinese-constructed bridge project spanning the Mekong River in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, specifically in the southeastern region.
TroibNews 
Underwater work for a Chinese-built bridge project spanning the Mekong River commenced on Friday in the southeastern region of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The project involves constructing a concrete bridge that stretches 1.6 kilometers, coupled with a 2.1-kilometer-long access road. The construction is being undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation and is expected to take 48 months for completion.
At the inauguration event, So Victor, secretary of state at the Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transport, expressed that the bridge will play a significant role in Cambodia's infrastructure development, aiding in economic growth and improving regional connectivity.
Wu Jinhai, executive general manager of CRBC Cambodia Office, noted that this project represents a successful collaboration between Cambodia and China under the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting the strong friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
He emphasized that CRBC is committed to promoting a green development strategy and aims to establish a model project focused on quality and sustainability.
The bridge will serve as a link between Kean Svay and Lvea Aem districts in Kandal province.
Local residents welcomed the start of construction, stating that it will enhance travel efficiency and save both time and money.
"This bridge project is very important for common people as well as civil servants to travel and to communicate with each other," said Sok Khna, a 53-year-old resident of Kean Svay district.
"More importantly, people will be able to travel across the bridge for free of charge, contributing to reducing poverty," he added.
Khna explained that currently, residents rely on ferries to cross the river, which incurs both time and financial costs.
"For ferry services, it costs 1,000 riel for a motorcycle and 10,000 riel for a car, and it takes about half an hour to cross the river," he noted.
Khat Vichara, a 21-year-old local, remarked, "When this bridge is constructed, it will surely provide a lot of advantages to me and other passengers, facilitating our travel, reducing our expenses and saving our time."
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
The project involves constructing a concrete bridge that stretches 1.6 kilometers, coupled with a 2.1-kilometer-long access road. The construction is being undertaken by the China Road and Bridge Corporation and is expected to take 48 months for completion.
At the inauguration event, So Victor, secretary of state at the Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transport, expressed that the bridge will play a significant role in Cambodia's infrastructure development, aiding in economic growth and improving regional connectivity.
Wu Jinhai, executive general manager of CRBC Cambodia Office, noted that this project represents a successful collaboration between Cambodia and China under the Belt and Road Initiative, highlighting the strong friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
He emphasized that CRBC is committed to promoting a green development strategy and aims to establish a model project focused on quality and sustainability.
The bridge will serve as a link between Kean Svay and Lvea Aem districts in Kandal province.
Local residents welcomed the start of construction, stating that it will enhance travel efficiency and save both time and money.
"This bridge project is very important for common people as well as civil servants to travel and to communicate with each other," said Sok Khna, a 53-year-old resident of Kean Svay district.
"More importantly, people will be able to travel across the bridge for free of charge, contributing to reducing poverty," he added.
Khna explained that currently, residents rely on ferries to cross the river, which incurs both time and financial costs.
"For ferry services, it costs 1,000 riel for a motorcycle and 10,000 riel for a car, and it takes about half an hour to cross the river," he noted.
Khat Vichara, a 21-year-old local, remarked, "When this bridge is constructed, it will surely provide a lot of advantages to me and other passengers, facilitating our travel, reducing our expenses and saving our time."
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
