Prime Minister Hun Sen on December 22 inaugurated two roads in Preah Sihanouk province, while also calling on transport businesses to use the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway as it benefits fuel consumption and supply chains and can reduce accidents on National Road 4.
According to the premier, the two roads – 146B and 148 – total more than 43km and were built by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) at a cost of $76 million.
Road 146B, also known as Samdech Preah Sangharajadhipati Tep Vong Safety Road, connects to Road 148 and stretches from Prey Nop district to Otres commune in Stung Hav district.
Road 148, named Tei Rak Vithei Samdech Techo Hun Sen, runs from the Stung Hav roundabout in Otres to the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port.
The construction was overseen by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. Construction of the two roads began in April 2020 and was completed in August, with funding from the national budget.
While praising the transport ministry, provincial authorities as well as the Ministry of Economy and Finance for their efforts, Hun Sen also thanked the residents living along the two roads for their patience and understanding regarding the dust and noise.
“Their initial disturbance has been replaced with joy at seeing these roads. Local residents and other people travelling on these roads will definitely reap the benefits,” he said.
The inauguration of these roads adds to the 37 others which were inaugurated last year, in what he regarded as a massive achievement for the province.
“In addition, we recently inaugurated the expressway connecting Phnom Penh and Preah Sihanouk province under the presidency of the prime ministers of China and Cambodia,” he said.
Hun Sen called on transport businesses to use the expressway. “I have observed that there are few trucks on the expressway. I wish to point out to the owners of cars and trucks that using the expressway is more profitable, as they will save time and use less fuel. It also benefits the Kingdom’s supply chains,” he said.
He noted the importance of the two new roads, saying that despite the other new transport infrastructure – including the expressway – connectivity had still been an issue.
“Investing in infrastructure is an excellent distribution of the fruits of equitable economic growth to the general population. When they are well planned and well built, roads provide benefits for a long time into the future,” he said.
