Cambodia Advances New Battambang-Siem Reap Route Construction to Boost Economy

The Cambodian government is advancing preparations for the construction of a new national road connecting Battambang and Siem Reap provinces. Senior officials and technical teams from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport have conducted on-site inspections of the planned route before the official groundbreaking ceremony. This project will be funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The new road is prioritized by the government to strengthen connectivity between the northwestern provinces and Siem Reap, a key tourist destination, thereby boosting transportation and economic activities in the region. According to the plan, the new national road will have a total length of approximately 72.154 kilometers, connecting National Road No. 5 (at PK302+325) in Battambang province to National Road No. 6 (at PK343+100) in Siem Reap province. The route will pass through three provinces: Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, and Siem Reap. A significant feature of this new route is its ability to reduce the travel distance between Battambang and Siem Reap by over 100 kilometers compared to the current route. This is expected to save travel time, lower transportation costs, and facilitate travel for residents and tourists. In addition to the Battambang-Siem Reap new road, the government is also pushing forward two other national road projects to expand the transportation network and stimulate the national economy. The first is National Road No. 60B, which connects Prek Prasap district in Kratié province to Kampong Thom in Kampong Thom province, spanning over 130 kilometers. This road, along with the recently inaugurated Mekong River bridge in Kratié province, is expected to become a vital economic artery for the northeastern region, promoting investment, goods transportation, and tourism. The second project is National Road No. 50C, linking Kampong Long district in Kampong Chhnang province to National Road No. 6 in Kampong Thom province. This road will reduce the travel distance from over 100 kilometers to approximately 53 kilometers, opening up a new route across the central part of the country that has not been traversed before. The development of these new national road networks is anticipated to enhance inter-provincial connectivity, improve transportation efficiency, reduce logistics costs, foster economic development, and boost the development of Cambodia's tourism sector.