Phnom Penh: Cambodia is over halfway to the day when a road-trip between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville takes 2-3 hours. Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Sun Chanthol led a senior government delegation on an inspection visit on Monday, declaring that the expressway was just over 55% complete.



The 190-kilometre stretch is on track to be completed by the end of May 2023 at the latest. Construction began in July 2019. The dual carriageway, which will be tolled in parts, is being built by the PPSHV Expressway Company, a subsidiary of the China Road Bridge Corporation. By the time it’s finished, it will have cost just over $2-billion and will link five provinces: Phnom Penh, Kandal, Kampong Speu, Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk.

The expressway will be Cambodia’s first and is expected to be a major boom for tourism and logistics, dramatically reducing the cost and time involved in the journey. Speaking to the media during Monday’s visit, government officials thanked the Ministry of Health for its cooperation in allowing construction to continue even during the pandemic. Special vaccination drives have been organised for the project’s workforce and the construction schedule has been unaffected.