SR – Battambang Road Listed in 5-year Prioritised List, Construction Expected to Begin Before 2025

• 30 August 2021
• Local News
• 4340 Views

Plans to construct a new road connecting Siem Reap and Battambang has been listed in the 5-year Chinese-funded prioritised infrastructure projects list, with construction expected to begin before or by 2025.

Speaking at the MPWT LIVE SHOW on 30 August, Minister of Public Works and Transport HE Sun Chanthol said that the ministry is now carefully conducting an environment assessment, particularly the impacts on the Tonle Sap Lake.

“The ministry has listed the project in the five-year rolling plan. However, it does not mean that the project must begin construction in 2025. Based on the budget, the project can begin ahead of 2025, possibly 2023 or 2024,” he said.

Early this month, HE Sun Chanthol has also confirmed that the initial study of this project has already been completed since October last year. (Read more)

The study is a collaboration between the MWPT and China Road and Bridge Corporation. Meanwhile, this new road will pass through three provinces including Battambang, Banteay Meanchey and Siem Reap, and help shorten the travelling distance between the two provinces by up to 69 kilometres.

The project was studied after the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen in early 2020.

• Road and Infrastructure