As planned, residents could begin using the Cambodia–China Mekong Kratie Friendship Bridge from April 1, Public Works and Transport Ministry spokesperson Phan Rim said that day. He described the bridge as a source of hope for people travelling between the river’s eastern and western banks.
The eastern end is in Ta Lus village, Bos Leav commune, Chetr Borei district, and the western end in Thma Reab village, Prek Prasab commune and district. The bridge is more than 13 metres wide, with two vehicle lanes in total for opposing traffic, two cycle lanes, two one-metre pedestrian paths and railings on both sides.
The connecting roads exceed 32 kilometres: more than 15 kilometres of bridge approaches and over 16 kilometres of four branch roads in Kratie city. All were built or upgraded with seven-centimetre asphalt concrete (AC) surfacing. Four sections totalling nearly 27 kilometres were widened to 9–13 metres on formations 11 to nearly 20 metres wide. A further section of more than five kilometres has a 19-metre road on a 30-metre formation, with a four-metre planted central median.
Phan Rim described roads and bridges as the national economy’s lifelines and the second of the five key priorities—people, roads, water, electricity and technology—under the first phase of the Pentagonal Strategy. He said the second priority within its second pentagon was to improve connectivity and transport efficiency. The project was also an important strategic link for people on the river’s two banks, connecting remote northeastern areas with towns and Kratie with Kampong Thom, while joining major national roads in other provinces.
Written by Nget Pisant
