Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol on March 23 put into use a new bridge over the Mekong River connecting Kampong Cham and Tbong Khmum provinces to ease traffics as Khmer New Year approaches.

During his visit to the bridge, officially named Stung Trang-Kroch Chhmar Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge today, Chanthol said: “During the upcoming Khmer New Year, there will be traffic congestion on ferries. We don’t want to see our people use ferries any longer. So, with the approval from Prime Minister Hun Sen, people can use this bridge from today.”

Chanthol said the bridge project was scheduled to be completed in May, but the construction company had sped up their works in order for it to be ready for use before the Khmer New Year.

The prime minister will inaugurate this bridge at an appropriate time, he said.

Stung Trang-Kroch Chhmar Cambodia-China Friendship is 1,131m long and 13,5m wide, crossing the Mekong River from Prek Kak commune in Kampong Cham’s Stung Trang district to Trea commune of Tbong Khmum province’s Kroch Chhmar district.

The construction started in December 2017.