The provincial authorities of the Kingdom’s four coastal provinces – Kampot, Preah Sihanouk, Kep and Koh Kong – ordered drivers to avoid travelling along national roads to ease traffic for the “First World Cycling Tour of Cambodia Bay” from Saturday to Monday.
Ministry of Environment secretary of state Neath Pheaktra, who is one of the cycling tour organisers, said more than 200 racers from across the globe will participate.
“The race will take place on the four coastal provinces, beginning in Koh Kong before travelling through Kampot and crossing into Preah Sihanouk and ending in Kep,” he said.
The Kampot provincial administration on Tuesday issued a notice informing drivers to avoid travelling on National Roads 3 and 33 which are the routes for the race.
“To assist in making the First World Cycling Tour of Cambodia Bay successful the Kampot provincial administration informs owners of all types of vehicles to avoid travelling on National Road 3 beginning from Trapaim Ropov Market and National Road 33 until the entrance of Kampong Nong Pagoda from January 4-6,” the notice read.
The notice also said that the bike race will have 120 participants from 15 countries divided into 20 groups, with 180 accompanying delegates and journalists from 27 major media outlets from the US, China, Australia and EU also being present.
Koh Kong province’s Mondul Seima district administration temporarily banned heavy vehicles from travelling on National Road 48 to accommodate the race.
It also instructed lorries with six and 10 tyres to avoid travelling from the Neang Kok dry port and Neang Kok fisheries collection port from 5am to 5pm from Wednesday until Monday.
The district administration warned that “if any of the suspended trucks continue to travel on the roads, district and other authorities will temporarily detain them”.
The Preah Sihanouk provincial administration on Tuesday also told owners of transportation companies, taxi drivers, the public and residents of Veal Rinh, Teuk Thla, Trapaing Ropov along National Road 3 that the race would travel through their area from noon until 2pm on Sunday.
It said riders are to arrive at the Sre Ambel crossroad in Chamkar Luong commune and then turn right onto National Road 4 towards the Veal Rinh roundabout in Prey Nop district until about 1pm before travelling to Kampot province via National Road 3.
“The provincial administration would like to suspend traffic for all types of vehicles along the two national roads during the race to ensure the First World Cycling Tour of Cambodia Bay is held successfully, safely and without complications,” the Preah Sihanouk provincial administration said.
