Cambodia Launches 250 km Border Ring Road with Nearly USD 27 Million in People-Driven Funding

• 4 November 2024
• Local News
• 731 Views

Cambodia has officially launched the construction of a 250-kilometre border ring road, funded by nearly USD 27 million raised through donations to the Foundation for Border Infrastructure Development (FBID). The groundbreaking ceremony for this vital infrastructure project took place on 1 November 2024, with HE Kim Bunthan, Chairman of the FBID, confirming that the road is scheduled for completion by April 2027.

HE Kim Bunthan highlighted the impressive fundraising achievement, with USD 26,967,609 raised in just 66 days from 720,105 donors. Contributions included 32,952,442,044 Riels and USD 18,729,998, reflecting widespread community and international support for the initiative. This project accounts for 18.4% of Cambodia’s remaining 51.9% unfinished border ring road network, marking a significant step forward in national infrastructure development.

The road will span Mondulkiri (147.42 km) and Rattanakiri (102.58 km) provinces, featuring a 9–10 meter paved roadbed and a 7-meter-wide driving surface. Key infrastructure enhancements include mine clearance across 6,250,000 m², 23 steel-fibre concrete bridges totalling 567 meters, 47 concrete box drains covering 369 meters, 494 concrete ditches, and two water storage roads extending 72 meters.

Reflecting on past progress, the FBID reported that from 1994 to 2023, Cambodia achieved 48.1% completion of the border ring road while clearing 30,000 hectares of mines and unexploded ordnance. The ongoing construction signifies Cambodia’s unwavering commitment to enhancing connectivity and ensuring safer infrastructure for its citizens and neighbouring communities.

• Road and Infrastructure