Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation (OCIC), which is developing the Chaom Chao roundabout overpass and subway, said the company began clearing the site on Tuesday after it met with authorities and other stakeholders to push completion by the end of 2020.
The construction site was inaugurated on June 29 by Prime Minister Hun Sen. The OCIC project is worth $22 million and will take 30 months to complete.
The Chaom Chao roundabout is a link between Phnom Penh and National Roads 3 and 4, an import-export gateway for Cambodian goods to the international market.
The roundabout sees traffic congestion every day, causing the Phnom Penh Municipal Hall to decide to clear the roundabout and construct an overpass and subway instead.
OCIC spokesman Dy Vanndo said on Tuesday that he met local authorities and stakeholders in charge of underground networks – such as cable, electricity and water distribution – to lay out a comprehensive subterranean blueprint before the OCIC team starts digging to rebury sewage pipes.
“Excavation to bury the [sewage] pipes at the site of the construction of the overpass and subway at Chaom Chao roundabout will start on December 10,” Vanndo said.
He said the company will construct a two-level subway with two lanes through a 13 metre-deep excavation.
Although construction will be complex, the project will be completed, as scheduled, within 30 months after construction begins.
According to Vanndo, the expansion of the road to relieve traffic during construction was completed on October 30. However, he said there are currently about 17 houses and two gasoline stations on site which have not accepted any settlement.
Phnom Penh Municipal Hall spokesman Met Measpheakdey said he did not have the latest details of the Chaom Chao roundabout project, knowing only that the construction was proceeding on schedule.
