PHNOM PENH: The Spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works, Kong Vimean, has told EAC News that the temporary use of the new expressway between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville has not yet been granted due to a need for more time to set up a security system on this road.

Before, the Ministry had planned to allow the use of the expressway starting from July.

Spokesman Kong Vimean said that the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway has reached 94% completion so far, however there are still some problems that prevent its use, such as the traffic signs on the road not yet being fully equipped. He explained that only about 70% of the road safety fences have been set up and some flyovers have not yet been completed, the four parking locations for the expressway are also not yet 100% complete and some traffic safety system equipment still needs to be installed.

The Spokesman added that the remaining work will be completed by the end of August and the temporary use of the expressway will open in early September 2022.

The new expressway is being constructed by PPSHV Expressway Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Road Bridge Corporation (CRBC), and is technically inspected by MINCONSULT SDN. BHD. The expressway took 48 months to construct and cost over US $2 billion. It has four lanes, a total width of 24.5 meters, seven intersections, three rest areas, one parking lot, an operation and maintenance center, four large bridges, 40 medium bridges, and five small bridges that cross over about 8 km of Phnom Penh and over four other provinces, including 9.1 km of Kandal, 80.8 km of Kampong Speu, 1.92 km of Koh Kong, and 89.89 km of Preah Sihanouk.

The Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway Project is the first expressway project and the most important strategic corridor in Cambodia. In addition to reducing the travel time from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville Port from five to just two hours, the expressway will also help reduce logistical costs.