Koh Pich-Koh Norea Bridge Nears Completion
The cable-stayed bridge linking Koh Pich to the artificial island of Koh Norea being built in the Mekong River is 92 percent complete and is expected to be finished before the Water Festival. Photo: OCIC
- By Teng Yalirozy
- August 31, 2023 7:30 PM
PHNOM PENH – The cable-stayed bridge linking Koh Pich to the artificial island of Koh Norea being built in the Mekong River is 92 percent complete and is expected to be finished before the Water Festival.
Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Koeut Chhe said the last section of the bridge will be installed on Sept. 12. The Water Festival will run from Nov. 26 to 28.
He said permission for temporary use of the bridge would be requested from the government. “We will try to complete construction before we compile the report for the government,” Chhe said.
He said the bridge could help alleviate traffic congestion on the busy Preah Monivong Bridge, known as the Chbar Ampov Bridge.
“It will also be convenient for travelers who used to cross the river by ferry,” he said.
Estimated to cost $38 million, the Koh Pich-Koh Norea bridge, 824 meters long and 24.5 meters wide, broke ground on Oct. 26, 2020.
The bridge links Diamond Island City (Koh Pich), along the Tonle Bassac River, to the Koh Norea peninsula in Chbar Ampov district’s Niroth commune.
Koh Norea will be transformed into an opulent commercial complex by mega-developer Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC ) and will cover around 100 hectares.
Starting in January 2022, the $2.5 billion project is known as Koh Norea satellite city, which is on the Mekong River adjacent to the mouth of the Bassac River.
According to OCIC, the project can house roughly 50,000 people with a budget of $550 million. It is expected initially to create work for 7,000 people, which will grow to 10,000 workers who will manage its operations.
