Phnom Penh:  On Tuesday afternoon, December 17, 2024, Mr. Peng Purna, Minister of Public Works and Transport, was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation from Mr. OGASAWARA Kenichi, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan (MLIT). This recognition was awarded for the ministry's contributions to enhancing infrastructure quality in Cambodia through the Cambodia-Japan Friendship Bridge Rehabilitation Project (Chroy Changvar 1 Bridge), which was executed by OBAYASHI CORPORATION and Central Consultant Inc.

The Cambodia-Japan Friendship Bridge, located along National Road 6 in Phnom Penh, was originally constructed and inaugurated in 1963 with funding from Japan. The structure suffered significant damage during the Cambodian civil war but was successfully rebuilt in 1992 with Japanese assistance, earning its current name from His Majesty King Norodom Sihanouk. Nevertheless, due to the bridge's advanced age, economic growth, and rising traffic demands, urgent repairs were deemed necessary. Consequently, renovations commenced under a grant provided by the Japanese Government, amounting to 3,323 million yen (approximately 33 million US dollars).

The reconstruction efforts, which began on September 15, 2017, were completed, and the bridge was officially reopened on April 3, 2019, in a ceremony attended by former Prime Minister Hun Sen. The renovation utilized advanced Japanese technology and high-quality design features to enhance the bridge's durability and lifespan. 

Spanning a total length of 709 meters and a width of 13.8 meters, the bridge accommodates two vehicle lanes, a motorcycle lane, and a dedicated sidewalk. Key elements of the project included the upgrading of bridge piers and foundations, improvements to the drainage system, the application of a 15 cm thick rubber coating, reconstruction of bridge abutments, and the installation of new handrails and street lighting poles, alongside various repairs to the structure.