Prime Minister Hun Sen is set to open the Stung Trang-Kroch Chhmar Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge to full public use on November 23, linking Kampong Cham and Tbong Khmum provinces across the Mekong River, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.

Ministry secretary of state Lim Sidenin on November 12 led a team to inspect the site in preparation for the launch ceremony.

Breaking ground in February 2018 and costing $56 million to build, the 1.131km-long, 13.5m wide bridge will connect Stung Trang district’s Prek Kak commune of northeastern Kampong Cham with northwestern Kroch Chhmar district’s Trea commune of northwestern Tbong Khmum (GPS Coordinates: 12.27N, 105.55E).

In a November 12 statement, the ministry hailed the bridge as an “important, strategic” project that would make travel between Kampong Cham and Tbong Khmum “quick and easy”, curbing dependence on ferries to cross the Mekong – which makes up the bulk of the border between the provinces.

“This bridge also has the potential to serve the economic sector, which would improve the livelihoods of the people, by scaling up investment, tourism and development,” it said.

The ministry noted the bridge has been open to limited traffic since March.