Cambodia is attempting to tackle its national and international development goals, and its efforts began in earnest with the development of Meanchey commune, a wide swath of land covering 12 districts on the southern end of Phnom Penh.

Meanchey Commune Governor Pech Keo Muny told Post Property that the projects, many of which were finished in 2017, involved building new roads, renovating the sewage system, and canal refurbishment in Chakangre Leu, Chakangre Krom, Stung Meanchey 1, 2 and 3.

“We have also planned to install a pumping station in two phases. We will pump [water] out of the old station in Boeung Trabek and send it to Boeung Tumpun commune. We plan to set up a new pumping station on Samdech Decho Hun Sen Boulevard,” he said.

Phnom Penh City Hall is also seeking to build two or three flyover bridges in Meanchey commune. The first will be located on Samdech Decho Hun Sen Boulevard, at the intersection of Street 271 and Monivong Boulevard. The second will be placed in Canadia Park, intersecting Veng Sreng highway and Okhna Doung Ngeab Road.

“We will cover all of the flyover and underground routes to free traffic from congestion between the intersections and the bridges built earlier,” he said. “We have not been able to determine the construction date because exploration has a serious impact on Samdech Decho Hun Sen Boulevard, but we are still trying to find a solution in time.”

He added that construction on the flyover bridge will begin in April 2018 after an environmental impact assessment is finished. In digging beneath the foundation of the road, the city found a large underwater reserve, complicating construction efforts.

“Now, through discussion, we have five options to build the flyover bridge on 60 Meter Street, but most of it will be shaped like Stung Meanchey bridge,” he said.

In addition to the new roads and highways, the city is eager to solve their drainage system problem by “liberating” the waterways and improving the conditions of the residents here. Keo Muny said the waterways needed to be improved as more and more high rises are built in the city, and even told Post Property that they were forced to reject some projects that would affect the placement of the bridges.

There are many projects in the works for high rises in the area, and the city has entrusted the development of Samdech Decho Hun Sen Boulevard to local companies. The development of a southern satellite city will take place soon after the land is prepared for construction.

All 62 roads and pipelines, including a line as small as 20 meters, will be planned by ministry heads.

“Some supermarkets for Chinese and Japanese companies will be in the area, and we are supporting a shopping mall here,” he said.

According to City Hall spokesman Met Measpheakdey, they are working to study the feasibility of the flyover road for the coming year.

“Phnom Penh City Hall is studying the construction of air bridges and underground bridges due to traffic jams, despite the presence of a previously constructed flyover [road] in the capital,” he said.

Between the city’s rapid development and the massive increase in the number of vehicles on the road, the governor and his officials were forced to think of ways to ease traffic congestion through bridges and underground traffic tunnels.

“The project to construct bridges in Phnom Penh will be very precise at the 60-metre highway and the roundabout at the intersection of National Road 3. We do not have the time to build it, and it depends on the expertise of experts,” he said.

According to Sorn Seap, the CEO of Key Real Estate, some of Phnom Penh’s districts have already developed themselves and some haven’t. Meanchey, he said, still had large plots that remained empty but the price of land was high because big investors are interested in it.

The area will become a new city in the future, with diverse services, Boreys, schools, markets, drainage, electricity and roads, he said.

“The average price of land in the area ranges from $300 to $500, and high prices range from $1,000 to $1,500, which have gone up more since the road was built,” he added.

“According to my observations, the development is coming from the city center and expanding to the suburbs such as Chroy Changvar, Sen Sok, Meanchey and along national roads 1, 2, and 3.”