PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's second expressway with a total length of 135.10 kilometers linking Phnom Penh capital to Bavet city in Svay Rieng province, and to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh-Moc Bai expressway project was broken ground this morning.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held in Kean Svay district, Kandal province under the presidency of Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen and H.E. Wang Wentian, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia. H.E. Sun Chanthol, Senior Minister and Minister of Public Works and Transport said that the construction project would cost some US$1.35 billion under Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) contract for 50 years.

The second expressway, whose construction would last 48 months until 2027 by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), will pass through Kandal, Prey Veng, and Svay Rieng provinces, H.E. Senior Minister added. “This expressway will significantly improve goods transport and people's travel and promote trade and tourism between Cambodia, Vietnam, and ASEAN as a whole,” he underlined.

H.E. Sun Chanthol pointed out that along with the expressway construction, the Royal Government has decided to build a bridge across the Mekong River, liking Dey Ith commune of Kean Svay district to Thmar Kor commune of Lover Em district, Kandal province, at an estimated cost of US$232,58 million.

The Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway is shorter than the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, which is 187 kilometers long and cost some US$2 billion. Besides, Cambodia is also planning to build the third expressway from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap province which is currently under feasibility study.