Siem Reap: Good news for those living in and around Siem Reap. The city’s roadworks, involving no less than 38 separate projects, are nearing 65% completion. Project engineers say all work will be finished before the end of the year.

Almost 110 kilometres of road are either being built or repaired, complete with new drainage systems and pavements. The roadworks first started towards the end of last year. By the time they’re finished, they’ll have cost the Royal Government $150-million.

On Monday, Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Sun Chantol led an inspection visit. He says the purpose was to ensure that technical standards were being adhered to, in the interests of quality and durability. He says by the time the roadworks are complete, Siem Reap will have vastly improved road infrastructure and will be ready to welcome tourists, echoing statements by the Royal Government in recent weeks that Cambodia does hope to reopen its borders fully towards the end of the year.