MONDULKIRI: The Ministry of Public Works and transport estimates it will need about one billion Riels, or about $250,000 US, to repair a section of National Road 76A that was wiped out by a landslide on August 1.

On the morning of August 8, Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol relayed the findings of an inspection of the site, which gave an estimate of the cost of fixing the severely damaged road. "On August 2, a team from the Ministry of Public Works with the Ministry of Economy and Finance arrived at the site to inspect the road damage and request a budget,” he said. “They request a budget of 1 billion Riels to repair this road.”

According to Senior Minister Sun Chanthol, his ministry is still considering whether it’s best to repair the collapsed section or move forward in building a permanent bypass. "We are reviewing the technical specifications and costs of repairing the old site or making this bypass a permanent link. We are considering it," he said.

He underlined that in 2024, the ministry will request a budget of about 6 billion to 7 billion Riels to repair and maintain National Road 76A to Mondulkiri so that the life of the road can be further extended.

Construction on the 127 kilometer road began in 2007 and was completed in 2011 by the China Road and Bridge Corporation at a cost of more than $51 million US. It was officially opened on January 31, 2012.