Construction of Phnom Penh's first highway overpass is expected to begin next month in a major push to resolve traffic congestion that has seen an estimated four people killed every day on the capital's chaotic streets, Governor Kep Chuktema told the Post over the weekend.

The 380-metre-long-by-14-metre-wide skyway will be built along Norodom Boulevard above the Kbal Thnol traffic circle, which will be removed when construction is complete - at an estimated cost of US$6 million, the governor said.

"We think the [overpass] will help reduce traffic congestion when it is completed," he said.

Congestion in Phnom Penh has become a serious problem as more Cambodians buy cars instead of motorbikes. Kep Chuktema said the new vehicles were causing traffic jams and that a new overpass could help relieve the snarls.

"The situation has become serious, and we have to deal with it," he said.

Construction will be headed by the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corp, Canadia Bank's Rien Samrith told the Post.

"We will study the project for at least 45 days before starting construction," he said.

"We can't build without proper study. The skyway will be built to international standards," Rien Samrith said.

Pen Bona, a resident of Ta Khmao town, said the new skyway would help alleviate increasingly longer commute times to the capital.

"Everyone wants the municipality to build the highway. It takes about one hour to travel 10 kilometres from Takhmao to Phnom Penh," he said.