MPWT and AIIB Review Feasibility Study for National Road 8 Upgrade Connecting Prek Tamak to Ponhea Kraek

• Proeksa Meas
• 7 September 2026
• Construction Focus
• 84 Views

High-level technical session examines environmental-social assessments and financial modeling to accelerate a critical transit corridor across eastern Cambodia

Phnom Penh: Upgrading Cambodia’s strategic transport corridors gained momentum as government officials and international financial partners reviewed preliminary engineering and environmental evaluations for a vital regional thoroughfare on National Route 8. According to the meeting session on the afternoon of Wednesday, August 26, 2026, H.E. Nim Sothea, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Deputy Project Director, chaired a technical meeting with Mr. Corey Wong, representative of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), at the ministry headquarters. The session convened ministry leaders, technical specialists, and representatives from ES Consultant to evaluate progress on the National Road 8 construction and upgrade study, which spans from the Prek Tamak Bridge to the Ponhea Kraek intersection at National Road 7.

During the meeting, delegates conducted a comprehensive review of the Preliminary Feasibility Study report, focusing on technical viability, environmental sustainability, and social safeguards. Attendees examined detailed Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) to ensure that future construction aligns with national environmental policies and minimizes disruption to local communities. Furthermore, the discussion addressed financial planning frameworks and proposed project implementation schedules, establishing structured milestones to guide upcoming procurement and physical execution phases efficiently.

Expressing satisfaction with the study’s trajectory, H.E. Nim Sothea commended the collaborative efforts between ministry technical teams, AIIB representatives, and ES Consultant experts. The Undersecretary urged all participating parties to maintain close inter-institutional coordination to resolve remaining technical queries swiftly and finalize the study in full accordance with target timelines, ensuring high construction quality and resource efficiency.

In conclusion, advancing the feasibility study for the National Road 8 upgrade marks a significant step toward modernizing Cambodia’s eastern transport network and fostering regional economic integration. By pairing AIIB financial backing with thorough environmental oversight and rigorous engineering standards, Cambodia is securing a durable, high-capacity arterial road that will streamline freight transit, reduce logistics costs, and drive sustainable growth for surrounding communities. (read more)

• Road and Infrastructure
• MPWT
• feasibility study
• Road improvement
• AIIB