Underground passage mulled for Phom Penh

17 June 2014


The Overseas Cambodia Investment Corp. (OCIC) and Phnom Penh municipality are cooperating to undertake a study on new major projects for the city – two flyovers and a subway, each of which it is hoped would ease the city’s ever worsening traffic congestion.

Touch Samnang, project manager at OCIC, said in Phom Penh on 1 May 2014 that his company and the municipal authorities are currently examining the feasibility of the two flyovers. He said the first one would be at the intersection of Mao Tse-tung and Russian boulevards (close to the Institute of Technology of Cambodia) and the second would be at the intersection of Hanoi Road and Russian Boulevard.

Samnang said the subway under consideration would run from the intersection of Monivong and Russian Boulevard to Street 114.

The studies are still in the preliminary phases, and a blueprint has only been drafted for one of the flyovers so far.

He said it is expected that the subway would cost just $3 million to $4 million because, according to the current plan, it would only extend 300 metres.

The budget for the flyover and subway projects is anticipated to come from leasing government land in Chroy Changvar, he added.

Meanwhile, Phnom Penh Municipal Hall spokesman Long Dimanche said the municipality is studying both the projects but has not yet put a proposal to the government because further study of the effects is required. He added that the budget needs to be examined further before a formal proposal is submitted.

"I can't say when construction will get under way, but we want to act soon to alleviate the traffic congestion," he said.

Po Eavkong, managing director of Asia Real Estate Cambodia, said increased infrastructure development in Phnom Penh would lead to many positive outcomes, including ease of travel and improved economic growth. He also noted that improved infrastructure would be good for property values.

"Building overpasses and a subway will not only help transform the landscape of the city, but will also help commercial areas better connect to each other and assist people in saving money and time getting around the city," he said.