PHNOM PENH: The Phnom Penh Administration requested the permission of Prime Minister Hun Manet, to open the Koh Pich bridge to Koh Norea ahead of its November opening on October 27, to relieve heavy traffic congestion.

The Governor of the Board of Governors of Phnom Penh, Khuong Sreng, announced the move while presiding over a celebration of connecting the bridges on September 13.

The bridge spans 844 meters, is 24.5 meters wide and has two lanes for cars on each side in addition to one motorbike land and one pedestrian lane, as well as a shortcut under the bridge along the banks of the Koh Pich and Koh Norea rivers.

The bridge is slated to be complete by the end of the year and will connect the traffic center in Phnom Penh to National Road No. 1 and will reduce traffic congestion on both Monivong bridges.