The Cambodia-China Mekong Kratie Friendship Bridge, which has reached 96% completion, is scheduled for a temporary opening to small vehicles during the Pchum Ben festival in September 2025.Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), presided over the ceremony to connect the final segment of the Cambodia-China Mekong Kratie Friendship Bridge in Kratie province this morning, with the participation of Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport, and provincial leaders. This follows its temporary opening for motorcycles and small vehicles during the Pchum Ben festival to ease travel for residents and tourists. The “Cambodia-China Mekong Kratie Friendship Bridge,” officially named by the Head of the Royal Government, crosses the Mekong River in Kratie Province, connecting Boslao Commune in Chet Borei District with Prek Prasap Commune in Prek Prasap District. The bridge is 1,761 metres long and 13.5 metres wide, with lanes for vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians, supported by 36 piers and featuring a navigable section measuring 100 metres by 15 metres. The bridge and connecting road project, financed by a concessional loan of about $114 million from the Government of the People’s Republic of China, is being constructed by Shanghai Construction Group (SCG), with technical supervision provided by Wan’an Guangzhou Technical Consultant (WACC). The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 2 January 2023, with Hun Sen, the former Prime Minister and current President of the Senate of Cambodia, presiding. As of the end of June 2025, the construction of the bridge has reached 96% completion, while the overall project progress, including the connecting road, stands at 70%. The project is expected to be finished by September 2026 or possibly earlier, considering the current pace of work. Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the advantages of the bridge and its connecting road, noting that the project will improve Cambodia’s internal transportation network and promote growth in the agricultural, agro-industrial, and tourism sectors in the northeastern provinces. The project will also facilitate daily travel for citizens, students commuting to school, and access to hospitals—especially during emergencies or at night—by reducing reliance on ferries, saving time and costs, and improving safety. Additionally, it will boost ASEAN connectivity and strengthen links within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and the Lancang-Mekong Subregion. The Deputy Prime Minister called on citizens, drivers, and transport operators to strictly adhere to traffic laws, avoid speeding, and refrain from overloading vehicles. He highlighted that public cooperation is vital for reducing traffic accidents and maintaining roads and bridges for the long term.