The Phnom Penh Municipal Administration temporarily opened the Chaom Chao interchange in the capital’s Por Sen Chey district, just east of the airport, for public use to ease traffic congestion ahead of its official inauguration set for March 31.

Another flyover at the intersection of the Russian Federation Boulevard and Street 2004 will break ground soon, as plans have almost been completed.

Municipal governor Khuong Sreng told The Post on March 20 that the Chaom Chao overpass and underpass were opened for public use on the evening of March 19.

“Prime Minister Hun Sen instructed the administration to open it temporarily. The formal inauguration date is set for March 31,” he said.

The interchange was constructed by the Overseas Cambodia Investment Corporation. Construction took 30 months to complete at a cost of approximately $22 million.

The project was divided into three stages, with all work meeting the technical specifications of the municipal Department of Public Works and Transport.

The main two-lane flyover, which is 408m long and 15.8m wide, connects traffic from Russian Federation Blvd to National Road 3.

The second overpass branches off from the main flyover and connects traffic from Russian Federation Blvd to Veng Sreng Street. The 202m bridge is one-way, with one lane for cars and one for motorcycles.

The third connects traffic from Veng Sreng Street to National Road 3. Also one way, it is 206m long with one lane for cars and one for motorcycles.

The administration said the interchange is equipped with street lights and an underground water reservoir. The automatic pump used to ensure drainage has an expected working life of 100 years, he added.

The municipal administration will soon construct the planned flyover that connects Russian Federation Blvd and Street 2004. The construction will be begun as soon as a technical study was complete, Sreng said.

“This project is scheduled to break ground soon to further reduce traffic congestion,” he said.