Cambodia inaugurates fifth China-funded bridge in S. province

Cambodia inaugurated Takhmau Bridge across Tonle Bassac River, along with a 12-km road here on Monday in an effort to facilitate travel and boost local economic development.

The concrete bridge, along with its connecting road, is located about 13 km south of Phnom Penh capital. It links National Road No. 2 west of the river to National Road No. 1 east of the river.

According to Cambodian Transport Minister Tram Iv Tek, the project cost nearly 33 million U.S. dollars, which is a concessional loan from the Chinese government. The Shanghai Construction (Group) General Company had taken more than three years to build the bridge and its connecting road.

The bridge has two lanes for cars and two lanes for motorcycles, he said.

"It will be the corridor of ASEAN highway linked from Thailand' s Bangkok to Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh without going through Phnom Penh capital," the transport minister said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government and people for providing assistance to Cambodia for socio-economic development, especially in infrastructure construction.

"The bridge is very essential for residents at both sides of the river and will contribute to boosting economy and reducing poverty," he said in a speech during the inauguration ceremony, attended by government officials and local residents.

Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Bu Jianguo said China sees the development of infrastructure such as roads and bridges as a key element to boost economy and reduce poverty in Cambodia, and China will continue cooperating with Cambodia in the field.

Takhmau Bridge is the fifth Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge, and the construction of the sixth Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge (2nd Chroy Changvar Bridge) in Phnom Penh capital has almost been completed while the construction of the seventh bridge (Koh Thom Bridge) is underway in Kandal province. Endi