KRATIE: The construction of the bridge across the Mekong River and connecting road in Kratie province has started on the morning of January 2, 2023, under the presidency of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian.

The Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Sen said that the bridge across the Mekong River in Kratie province, is the 11th bridge and under the support of the Chinese government, which currently has 4 bridges along the Mekong River (Mekong Stung Treng Bridge, Prek Tamak Bridge, Stung Treng-Krouch Chhmar Bridge and the bridge across the Mekong River).

So far under the concession loans from the Chinese government, they have help with, A bridge over the Sekong River, Stung Treng, 2 bridges along the Tonle Sap River (Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, Prek Kdam and Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, Chroy Changvar II), 3 bridges along the Bassac River (Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge Takhmao, Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, Koh Thom and Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, Sitbo), and one flyover, Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, Sen Sok).

Meanwhile, the Royal Government also plans to build another bridge across the Bassac River, Chak Angre Krom - Prek Pra, located between Monivong Bridge and Takhmao Bridge.

The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Sun Chanthol, pointed out that the bridge across the Mekong River in Kratie province is 1,761 meters long, 13.5 meters wide, with two lanes, 3.5 meters long, with the east side at the village Talus, Bos Leav commune, Chit Borei district and the west bank is located in Thmor Reap village, Prek Prosop commune, Prek Prosop district.

The connecting road is 31.69 meters long, including the road connecting from the end of the bridge with a length of 15.49 kilometres and four roads in Kratie city with a length of 16 kilometres. These roads will be constructed, expanded and upgraded with 7 cm thick AC concrete.

According to Sun Chanthol, these projects will be built by Shanghai Construction Company (SCG) and supervised by Guangzhou Wanan Technical Consulting. The project, which will take about 42 months to complete and will be completed in 2026, it is expected to cost more than US $ 114 million in concessional loans from the Chinese government and also will include a contribution from the Royal Government of Cambodia to address the impact of demining and unexploded ordnance and taxes.

The Minister of Public Works stated that the completion of the construction of the bridge and connecting road, will open up the movement of transport, trade and investment, as well as promote the development of agriculture, agro-industry and tourism in the provinces. In the Northeast, including the development triangle, which is in line with the policies and master plans of the Royal Government and the countries of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle (CLV).

At the same time, this bridge and the connecting road will facilitate the travel of citizens, students; people to travelling to the hospital in an emergency or at night without having to cross with the ferry, free of charge and safe, especially convenient to the daily activities of citizens.