Road to Progress: Cambodia’s NR 5, Prek Kdam to Battambang, Officially Unveiled

• Sommana Yan
• 22 November 2023
• Construction Focus
• 7021 Views

NR No. 5, stretching from Prek Kdam to Battambang province, was ceremoniously inaugurated after an extensive 7-year construction period. The auspicious event was presided over by Samdech Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the morning of 22 November 2023.

This transformative rehabilitation project spans a total length of 330 kilometres, traversing from the Prek Kdam bridge in Kandal province to Serei Sophorn City in Banteay Meanchey province. The project is divided into three sections—Southern Road (Prek Kdam- Thlea Maam), Central Road (Thlea Maam – Battambang), and North Road (Battambang – Serei Sophorn), boasting a commendable budget of approximately US$691 million, funded through a concessional loan from the Government of Japan.

The northern section of the road (Battambang-Serey Sophorn) had previously been inaugurated on 10 January 2022, marking a crucial step in enhancing Cambodia’s transportation infrastructure. (Read more)

The southern section of the road (Prek Kdam-Thla Mam), covering 135 kilometres, embarks from the Prek Kdam bridge across Kandal, Kampong Chhnang, and Pursat provinces. This segment includes the construction of 33 new bridges, the repair of old bridges, totalling 749 metres in length, and the installation of 245 sewers.

Simultaneously, the central road section (Thlea Maam – Battambang), spanning 110.90 kilometres, starts from Thla Mam, passing through Pursat and Battambang provinces. This section incorporates the construction of new bridges, the repair of 31 old bridges, totalling 1,418 metres in length, and the installation of 130 drains.

Alongside the inauguration of NR No. 5 (Prek Kdam-Battambang), the government also unveiled the construction site for the final section of NR No. 5, extending from Serei Sophorn to Poipet. Covering a length of 35.14 kilometres and a budget of US$52.56 million (a joint contribution from the Government of Cambodia and a loan from the Government of Japan), this section is slated for completion in March 2025. (Read more)

In his address, Samdech Hun Manet emphasised the pivotal role of NR No. 5 as a vital artery for Cambodia and called upon the public, especially the transportation sector of private companies, to actively participate in its maintenance and protection, urging strict adherence to legal weight limits.

• Projects Development
• Road and Infrastructure