KAMPONG CHHNANG: During the inspection ceremony of the construction site for the Kampong Chhnang Multi-Purpose Port and Logistics Center on Thursday morning, 9 March 2023, the Minister of Public Works and Transport, Senior Minister Sun Chanthol, confirmed that in 2024, the Royal Government will raise funds for the construction of a 3 km long bridge and the reconstruction of Road 50c, connecting Kampong Thom to Kampong Chhnang.

Senior Minister Sun Chanthol stated that in 2019, the government urged the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to conduct another study into the environmental impact of building a 3 km-long bridge, as well as Road 50c from Kampong Thom to Kampong Chhnang. After conducting this study, he said the Ministry concluded that there is no significant negative impact posed by this project on the environment.

"Recently, Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed that in 2024, the government will raise funds for the construction of Road 50c, connecting Kampong Thom to Kampong Chhnang," he said.

Senior Minister Sun Chanthol affirmed that the Ministry of Public Works will begin the construction of the longest bridge in Cambodia in 2024, along with the re-construction of Road 50c, which is planned to cost a total of US $250 million. Around US$ 150 million is expected to go into the construction of the road, while US $100 million will go into the construction of the bridge.

The newly improved Road 50c is expected to facilitate quicker transportation between Kampong Thom and Kampong Chhnang, as well as between Preah Vihear and Kampong Chhnang.

Road 50C crosses the Tonle Sap Lake, connecting National Road No. 6 of Kampong Thom to the provincial town of Kampong Chhnang, across 53 kilometers. Meanwhile, the distance between the two provinces is currently more than 100 km.