KAMPONG THOM: Prime Minister Hun Sen confirmed that Cambodia has approved a loan from China to build a bridge connecting Kampong Thom to Kampong Chhnang province.

During the opening ceremony of the 7th River Festival, held under the theme "Our River for the Present and the Future", on Thursday evening, 9 March 2023, in Stung Sen City of Kampong Thom Province, the Prime Minister said, "All we need is to build a bridge that connects Kampong Chhnang to Kampong Thom. We have approved a loan application from the People's Republic of China to implement this project for 2024."

He added that Cambodia is currently building a bridge over the Mekong River from Kratie to Kampong Thom, and the province will have two new bridges and roads in the future.

The Minister of Public Works and Transport, Senior Minister Sun Chanthol, confirmed at the inspection ceremony of the construction site for the Kampong Chhnang Multi-Purpose Port and Logistics Center on Thursday morning, that the Royal Government will raise funds for the construction of a more than 3 km long bridge, and the construction 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.

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.