The Phnom Penh Municipal Administration has announced that the Russey Keo flyover will be temporarily opened to traffic from March 1 or 14, months after construction began.

The groundbreaking of the flyover – which would allow traffic to flow on National Road 5 in Khleang Saing village of Russey Keo commune and district without disrupting access to the Russey Keo cable bridge across the Tonle Sap River to Chroy Changvar – took place on January 31 last year.

“In order to facilitate traffic flow and alleviate congestion for the public, the municipal administration has received the permission from the government to open the Russey Keo flyover to traffic from March 1,” said a February 24 press release.

It added that the 483m flyover is almost 100 per cent completed, with only minor paving and signage still to be finished. The final work will be completed before the road is open to the public.

Municipal Hall spokesman Meth Meas Pheakdey told The Post that the temporary opening of the flyover would ease traffic congestion in the area.

The opening comes as Cambodia prepares to host the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. The opening ceremony is scheduled for May 17, barely nine weeks from now.

The project was built by the Overseas Cambodian Investment Company, at a cost of nearly $10 million. Funding came from the Koh Norea Foundation.