PHNOM PENH: On May 31, during the inauguration of the Russey Keo flyover and Russey Keo bridge (the concrete cable-stayed bridge), Samdech Techo Hun Sen, the Cambodian Prime Minister unveiled plans for the construction of three additional bridges spanning the river in Phnom Penh.
These bridges will assist in alleviating travel difficulties for those entering and exiting the capital city, particularly along National Roads No. 5 and 6. The three proposed bridges are the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge, Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway Bridge, and the Bassac River Bridge connecting Prek Pra to Chak Angre.
Phnom Penh requires three additional bridges, with two already in progress. The Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge and the expressway bridge necessitate a significant investment, and the government is striving to ensure they are cost-effective. In order for the public to avoid bridge toll fees, they have reacquired ownership of the Prek Pnov bridge. “We want to encourage individuals to cross as frequently as possible without financial burden,” the Prime Minister stated.
“30 years ago, I could not have foreseen Phnom Penh’s remarkable development to this day,” the Prime Minister also remarked. “I will take time to witness firsthand the genuine progress from the city’s skyscrapers.”
Phnom Penh is located at the crossroads of the Tonle Sap, Mekong, and Bassac rivers in Cambodia’s south-central region. These rivers have long been vital freshwater resources as well as key ecosystems, contributing to the area’s rich cultural heritage and sustainable environment.
Phnom Penh’s landmass, formerly just over 300 square kilometers, has been extended to 692.46 square kilometers, with a population density of 2,123 people per square kilometer.
Russey Keo Bridge, measuring 922 meters in length and 20.5 meters in width, started construction in October 2017, with a total cost of roughly $35 million.
The overpass is located at the intersection of Street No. 36 in Khan Russey Keo on National Road No. 5. The construction took over 16 months from January 2022 and amounted to $9.7 million.
The Russey Keo flyover, which spans 145 meters long and 15.8 meters wide, is the sixth of its kind and is the product of a collaboration between the Phnom Penh capital administration and private enterprises, according to Governor of Phnom Penh, H.E. Khuong Sreng.
