Feasibility Study Of Cambodia's Third China-Funded Expressway Completed
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) has reported that the feasibility study for the Phnom Penh-Siem Reap-Poipet Expressway has been completed. The study was conducted by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and will be submitted for review and evaluation by the government in the near future.
Once completed, this will be the third expressway built in Cambodia, following the successful launch of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway in 2022, and the ongoing construction of the Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway, which began in 2023.
According to the MPWT, the new expressway is expected to begin in North Phnom Penh at the Win-Win Boulevard and cross through five provinces: Kandal, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, and Banteay Meanchey.
The total length of the expressway is 400 km, with an estimated total cost of US $4.2 billion. The expressway is designed for vehicles to travel at speeds of 100 km/h to 120 km/h.
Construction of the expressway will be divided into two phases. Phase I will cover the 249 km stretch from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, with an estimated cost of US $2.5 billion. Phase II will continue the expressway from Siem Reap to Poipet, covering a distance of 151 km and costing an estimated US $1.7 billion.
The MPWT has confirmed that the Phnom Penh-Siem Reap-Poipet Expressway project's construction company has completed a study of several factors, including traffic volume, hydrology, topography, geotechnical engineering, and an assessment of cultural relics and nature reserves.
“The company is currently summarising and evaluating the conclusions, and will be able to submit the findings to the Royal Government for review in the near future,” the ministry stated.
The transport ministry has touted CRBC for its international experience in the study and construction of large infrastructure projects, including the construction and operation of the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and the ongoing Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway.
The MPWT added that the new expressway will be similar to the other two expressway projects built by CRBC, with features such as a four-lane road, asphalt concrete (AC) paving, traffic lanes, a divider, emergency stop lanes, and sidewalks.