Grand Groundbreaking Ceremony for US$60m Bassac River Bridge Marks a Historic Milestone

• Sommana Yan
• 19 February 2024
• Local News
• 7087 Views

The grand groundbreaking ceremony for the US$60 million bridge project spanning the Bassac River took place on 19 February. The visionary construction will link Chak Angre Krom in the Meanchey district on the west bank to Prek Pra in the Chbar Ampov district on the east bank, fostering connectivity and development.

Presided over by Samdech Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, the event also witnessed the presence of HE Wang Wentian, the Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia, along with dedicated civil servants. The project, undertaken by the Shanghai Construction Group and technically supervised by Guangzhou Wanan Construction Supervision Co Ltd, is set to transform the capital landscape.

With a construction period of 42 months, scheduled for completion in 2027, the Bassac River Bridge will stand as a testament to modern engineering. The total budget of US$60.2 million is made possible through concessional loans from the Chinese government, supplemented by the Cambodian government’s commitment to addressing challenges related to demining, unexploded ordnance, and associated taxes.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport divulged that the bridge, spanning from Chak Angre Krom to Prek Pra, will be a twin concrete marvel stretching 845.7 meters in length and 27 meters in width.

During the ceremony, Samdech PM directed HE Khuong Sreng, the Governor of Phnom Penh, to engage with landowners in the Chbar Ampov district. The objective is to collaborate on the construction of a road connecting the bridge’s base to National Road No. 1, thereby enhancing accessibility and ensuring the seamless flow of travel for the public.

• Road and Infrastructure