Chinese Propose Elevated Expressway

• 31 December 2015
• Local News
• 1735 Views

Representatives from the Henan Provincial Communications Planning Survey and Design Institute (HPC) in China presented plans to the government for building a four-lane elevated expressway in Phnom Penh to relieve traffic congestion.

Transport Minister Tram Iv Tek and representatives from City Hall and the Ministry of Finance were presented three options on Tuesday 22 September; the first would run 8.3 km over Russian Boulevard and cost $362m, a second would run 8.68 km over a railway line and cost $400m, and a third would be built over Street 70 and run 10.82 km costing $459m.

The government team initially warmed to the railway line route given the lack of disruption during construction and also that the lines are currently disused.

The Chinese company then met with Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon on Monday 28 October and proposed the expressway to run from the Camko Satellite City roundabout to the airport, according to a statement from Chhon’s office.

HE Keat Chhon reportedly agreed in principle to a build-operate-transfer arrangement with HPC but stressed that the road should run over the city rather than through it.

The parties agreed on the need to conduct a feasibility study, though no formal agreements were made.