Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 10 - The National Road 5, from Ponhea Lueu district of Kandal province to Krokor district of Pursat province, will be constructed in February 2018 with an estimated cost of $246.35 million.

Cambodia received concessional loan from Japanese government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) worth around $246M.

Sun Chanthol, Senior Minister of Public Work and Transport (MPWT), presided over the signing ceremony on the Southern National Road 5 Improvement Plan (Prek Kdam-Tlea Om), said that the National Road 5 is essential to both the local transport, as well as physical connectivity in ASEAN countries. Therefore, the National Road 5 is considered as part of Asian Highway 1 in Asia.

"We expect the National Road 5 to help increase the capacity of transport both inside and outside the ASEAN countries, and will contribute to the development of Cambodia's economy”, said Sun Chanthol.

Senior Minister added, "The National Road 5 will be built in accordance to the high construction standards to ensure durability and quality, projected to last up to 10-12 years. We encourage the transport companies to help take care of this national property that the government received a concessional loan from JICA".

The Southern National Road 5 (Prek Kdam-Tlea Om) has a length of 135.25 kilometers, under three construction packages and will cost about $246.35 million for a 4 year construction period.

The Northern National Road 5 (Battambang-Serey Sophorn) has a length of 84.74 kilometers, under two construction packages and will cost about $143.04 million for a 3 year construction period. The project has been under construction since January 5, 2018, and achieved 8.46% of the plan.

The Central National Road 5 (Tlea Om-Battambong and Serey Sophorn-Poipet) has a total length of 146.04 kilometers and will be auctioned soon.
=FRESH NEWS