The Stueng Trang-Krauch Chhmar Bridge over the Mekong River in Cambodia is located about 30km north of Kampong Cham Province. It has a length of 1,131m and a width of 13.5m. The connecting road is a Class II highway.

The bridge’s specifications follow the stipulations as specified in the Technical Standard of Highway Engineering, issued by the Ministry of Transport, People’s Republic of China (PRC).

While the Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transport is the client, the project is supported by China Concessional Loan while and the general contractor for design and construction is the Shanghai Construction Group Co Ltd.

The Mekong River, which is the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia at a length of 300km, spans Kampong Cham, Kratie and Stung Treng provinces of northern Cambodia.

But there are only two bridges over the river.

The Krauch Chhmar Bridge is located between the existing two bridges, which links Tboung Khmum and Kampong Cham provinces.

The new bridge connects the highway networks along both banks and reduces travel time from the central and northern areas to eastern Cambodia.

And it is greatly significant for residents as the bridge will ease travel and spur economic development in central and northern Cambodia.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, the PRC ambassador in Cambodia Wang Wentian, and over 6,500 residents attended the project’s groundbreaking ceremony on February 9, 2018.

At the ceremony Hun Sen said: “This project is the third bridge over Mekong River constructed in Cambodia with the help of China. The assistance of China to Cambodia is practical and realistic, and the achievement is obvious.

“Each bridge is the testimony of friendship between Cambodia and China. The friendship and cooperation between Cambodia and China will [bring] economic development [for] both countries and contribute to building a prosperous and harmonious ‘Community of Destiny’ for all mankind”.

In April, 2019, China’s CCTV journalists conducted a field interview on the project and made a special programme entitled, “The Krauch Chhmar Bridge: Building a Bridge of Friendship between China and Cambodia”.

It was broadcasted on CCTV News, “The Belt and Road in Action” and received applause from all segments in China and Cambodia.

By August this year, 70 per cent of the work had been completed, with the project expected to be finished and open to traffic by the end of next year.

Cambodia is a vital route in the construction of the 21st-century Maritime Silk Road.

The massive project will promote “The Belt and Road in Action” in Southeast Asia. Cambodians have called the project the “Dream Bridge”, due to its potential of developing the central and northern areas of Cambodia.

(Source: Chinese Embassy)