Phnom Penh (FN), Dec 3 – The rehabilitation project for Cambodia-Japan Friendship Bridge (Chroy Chongva Bridge) will postpone to April 2017, as JICA is working detail with a construction firm.

According to the plan, the rehabilitation is supposed to begin in January 2017; however, JICA is still working on the appointment of a repair constructor and is set to finalize in March so that the project can be launched in April, said Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport.  

Chroy Chongva Bridge was built from 1960 until 1963 with 1,080m length and 13m width. The bridge, however, was destroyed in 1972 and was repaired in 1994. In 2014, JICA experts found that the bridge has been partially damaged and needed to be rehabilitated. Due to the importance of the bridge as a main transportation artery, the Cambodian and Japanese governments agreed to rehabilitate the bridge under the Japanese Grand Aid project. This 30 million USD project is implemented by JICA and will be completed within 22 months.

During the repair time, there will be gridlock, but in order to reduce the possibility of traffic jam, there will be a ferry to carry passengers for free of charge.

The ministry also decides to divert traffic to Preak Pnov Bridge and local authority will be committed to ensure safety and security for the citizens during gridlock.

=FRESH NEWS