Koh Pich-Koh Norea Bridge Opened for Temporary Use
Koh Pich-Koh Norea Bridge has opened for temporary use
- By Meng Seavmey
- October 20, 2023 4:10 PM
PHNOM PENH – Koh Pich-Koh Norea Bridge has opened for temporary use to reduce traffic congestion in the Kbal Tnal area, one of the main entrances into the capital.
The bridge has two lanes in each direction but is operating at half capacity with one lane in each direction. The bridge will be inaugurated when work is completed and it operates at full capacity.
The opening to traffic on Oct. 20 was a big step in alleviating traffic in the capital, particularly on National Road 1, Phnom Penh Deputy Governor Koeut Chhe said.
The bridge will also help ease congestion on the Preah Monivong Bridge, also known as Chbar Ampov, which has been busier since construction of an overpass started in the area.
Tho Khemra, a resident in Chbar Ampov district, usually spends half an hour to two hours traveling to work due to peak hour congestion on the Chbar Ampov bridge.
"I'm sometimes late for work, which is stressful. I need to wait for a long time even if there's an emergency for traveling. The traffic makes me stressed and costs me more on the fuel," he said.
"Small accidents have also occurred because the vehicles were too close to each other, finding their own way to go on."
However, the traffic had been cleared to an extent that he could cross the bridge in less than five minutes in the morning.
Prime Minister Hun Manet allowed the bridge to be used from Oct. 13 to 15 during Pchum Ben days, reducing people’s expenses and traveling time to their hometowns.
Construction of the Koh Pich-Koh Norea bridge, estimated to cost $38 million, started in Oct. 2020,with cooperation from the Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation.
The bridge is 824 meters long and 24.5 meters wide, linking Diamond Island City (Koh Pich) to the Koh Norea peninsula in Chbar Ampov district’s Niroth commune.
In a further bid to ease congestion, Phnom Penh authority plans to build a bridge crossing the Bassac River connecting Chak Angre to Prek Pra in Chbar Ampov district.
