Despite expecting 27,000 visitors per day, little planning has gone into tackling traffic congestion at Cambodia’s long-awaited AEON Mall when it opens June 30, City Hall said yesterday.

Long Dimanche, spokesman for City Hall yesterday confirmed that while Phnom Penh does have plans to address heavy traffic in the capital generally, nothing specific is planned for the area around AEON Mall.

“There has been discussion over traffic concerns with our former city governor because of Sothearos Boulevard being so narrow. But so far there is no recent official discussion going on about the plan between AEON and the City Hall to reduce traffic jams,” Dimanche said.

Located on Phnom Penh’s Sothearos Boulevard next to the Sofitel Hotel, the Japanese-owned, $205 million AEON Mall is expected to attract 10 million shoppers per year.

There are 1,400 vehicle parking spaces allotted at AEON and 1,600 bikes spaces accessed via both Sothearos Boulevard and the river side.

During a press conference on Saturday, Shinobu Washizawa, managing director of AEON Cambodia did not say how traffic will be managed but acknowleged the company had spoken to local authorities on the issue.

“For customers who will visit AEON, traffic congestion is inevitable. But now our company is discussing with City Hall and traffic police to help smooth the traffic around AEON, and our staff will also be there to reduce traffic jams,” he said.