Many commuters have expressed their pleasure at the recent opening of a new flyover in the capital’s Meanchey district.

The new overpass is phase one of the “Morodok Techo Interchange”, and was opened to the public ahead of the Khmer New Year holidays, on April 1.

As the first part of the interchange to be completed, it links Hun Sen and Monivong boulevards, while the second stage, currently under construction beneath the new overpass, will join with Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Boulevard, better known as Street 271. The 271 connections are expected to be put into use in 2025.

Construction is being managed by the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC), at a cost of more than $36 million. The “Morodok Techo” title of the interchange was personally approved by Prime Minister Hun Manet.

Oun Vichet, a resident of the capital’s Dangkor district, shared his joy at the way the new flyover has shortened his travel time.

A petrol vendor, he crosses the new structure every day, as he delivers vital supplies to his clients.

“This flyover has made it far easier for me to travel, because it has reduced the amount of congestion. I transport petrol to my customers all along Hun Sen Boulevard and also in Chbar Ampov district, making several journeys a day,” he told The Post, after crossing the bridge.

A Western office worker, who asked not to be named, noted the huge improvement it had made. He described the previous issue as “vehicles trying to navigate a major four-way intersection ... through a construction site”.

“The new flyover is excellent. Before it was built, there were traffic jams every morning and evening – and the ground was a mix of mud and cement. It nearly tripled my commute from Toul Tom Poung to my office,” he said.

“The surface of the road is immaculate, and it is really fun to ride over. I do wish something could be done about the amount of dust on the road at the southern end of the flyover, but I suppose it can’t be helped due to ongoing construction of the next phases of the project,” he added.

Som Muth, a resident of Meanchey district’s Boeun Tompoung 1 commune, told The Post that he has travelled over the new stretch of road about five times, and thoroughly enjoyed it each time.

“I have only travelled on it a few times, maybe five times so far. I like that the lanes are wide and it is not congested,” he said.

While it was under construction, it was so crowded under the building site. I thank the government for building this bridge and making it once again convenient for the public to commute,” he added.

As well as securing the honour of being the longest of Phnom Penh’s impressive eight flyovers, the new overpass is believed to be the only one to feature flowerbeds, with colourful blooms alongside each motorist as they undertake their journeys.