Phnom Penh: Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Peng Ponea, announced the completion of over 20,000 kilometers of national and provincial roads in Cambodia by the Ministry in 2023.

Minister Ponea outlined the extensive achievements of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport throughout 2023. Among the completed projects were the road-bridge initiatives funded through the national budget, covering new constructions and renovations totaling 614.60 kilometers, along with regular maintenance of national roads, provincial roads, and major bridges extending over 11,774.23 kilometers.

Furthermore, development partner-funded projects included the construction of the third ring road, stretching 47.61 kilometers, and a 5.37-kilometer branch road. Significant national road projects such as National Road 5 South (Prek Kdam-Thla Mam) covering 135.25 kilometers, and the renovation of National Road 2 and National Road 22, adding up to 72.17 kilometers, were also completed.

The minister revealed impressive statistics, noting the construction of 9 level 1 national roads totaling 2,254 kilometers, all paved with rubber and concrete. Additionally, 72 level 2 national roads spanning 5,135.88 kilometers and 769 provincial roads covering 12,626 kilometers were significantly advanced, with substantial portions paved with concrete.

In total, the ministry has overseen the construction and paving of 850 national and provincial roads, achieving 56.38% of the total road length with concrete and asphalt surfaces.

Highlighting international cooperation, Minister Ponea mentioned numerous road-bridge projects funded by development partners, including contributions from China, Japan, South Korea, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the World Bank (WB).

The ministry’s 2024 agenda, themed "Enhance the development of human resources, quality of construction, infrastructure standards, services, and the use of technology and digital innovation," aligns with the Royal Government's Pentagon Strategy - Phase 1, emphasizing the importance of human resource development, quality standards, and technological advancement in Cambodia's infrastructure sector.