Works on an expressway aimed at decreasing the time it takes to drive from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville could start towards the end of 2017, subject to matters around financing being ironed out.

Va Simsorya, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, told Post Property the government was close to giving the project a tick of approval.

“The government would like to kick off the new expressway by the end of 2017,” he said.

“The studies on the road’s impact and budget have already been completed. What is left is the contract between the government and the company (investor),” he added.

Simsorya, however, refused to shed details on the company invoved in the expressway, only saying that it was a private Chinese company.

Simsorya could not reveal the exact cost of the project but believed the cost would be above $1.5 billion. Simsorya said it was highly likely that when completed, the expressway would include a toll fee like other major highways around the world.

“Every car using this road will have to pay,” he said.

In terms of the logistics, the spokesman said the expressway would extend 190 kilometres and would connect from Phnom Penh in the Kov Srov area extending along Natioanal Road 4. The expressway would move towards Kampong Speu province before ending in the seaside town of Sihanoukville.

Lim Sidanin, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia, only gave a short remark on the upcoming expressway, stating the project was now in the hands of the Ministry of Economics and Finance awaiting approval.

Sun Chanthol, Minister of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, recently told local media that the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville expressway would comprise four lines and would prohibit motorcycles from using the road.