Cambodia's National Road 4 (Source: camsocial.news) Hanoi (VNA) - The World Bank (WB) has pledged to provide Cambodia with a 110-million-USD credit to improve the condition, safety and climate resilience of National Road 4, one of the key national highways in the country.
The funding will come from the International Development Association, the WB’s fund for the poorest countries, the bank’s statement said, adding that it is a credit without interest, with a final maturity of 38 years, including a grace period of six years.
Sovicheano Pheng, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said that Cambodia's economic development relies on National Road 4, as it is the only road connecting the economic centre of the country to the deep seaport of Preah Sihanouk.
Improvement of the key corridor will reduce travel time and logistic costs, which would help Cambodia's economy to be more competitive in the region, he added.
Connecting the capital city of Phnom Penh with Cambodia's only deep-sea port in southwestern Preah Sihanouk province, National Road 4 endures heavy traffic through several economic zones and rich agricultural areas including some large-scale farms, the statement said.
With the credit, the more-than-200-km road will be upgraded with an overlay of asphalt concrete, shoulders will be replaced and drains and bridges will be built along flood prone areas.
In addition to introducing innovative road designs that include climate proofing, the financing will upgrade existing weighing stations and reduce the risk of overloading.
Road safety will be prioritised, through the installation of speed-limit zoning, safety corridors and feeder road improvements that include guide-signs, solar powered lights and speed cameras.-VNA
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