Japan to provide funding for restoration of bridges in Cambodia

The Japanese Government has signed an agreement with Cambodia to carry out $35m of repair works on seven bridges in the Kratie and Prey Veng provinces.

The two bridges along National Road 11 in the Prey Veng region as well as five bridges on the National Road 73 in the Kratie area were severely damaged due to floods that occurred in 2011 and 2013.

Japanese Ambassador Horinouchi Hidehisa was quoted by phnompenhpost.com as saying:  “Through this project, we expect that not only the Cambodian people, but also international travellers will use these bridges as well.”

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) programme officer Soun Veasna noted that the bridge repair works will begin next year.

"As traffic volume increases, the rehabilitation of the seven bridges is urgently critical for the safe and smooth traffic."

Veasna told the newspaper that the road can be used as usual, with regular maintenance.

Veasna added: “Bridges are narrow and cause traffic congestion. As traffic volume increases, the rehabilitation of the seven bridges is urgently critical for the safe and smooth traffic.”

Since April, Cambodia is understood to have received nearly $249m from the Japanese Government as official development assistance.

The last phase of flood prevention project in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, was also completed with a $40m grant from the government.