The Koh Norea Bridge, which links to National Road 1, will be operational from October and is expected to improve traffic flow into the capital, according to Touch Samnang, deputy director of the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC). Samnang told The Post on August 10 that the bridge construction overseen by his firm was now over 90 per cent complete. “ We just need to spread asphalt and paint road markings. It may even be ready for use in late September,” he said. He noted that as construction had not encountered any problems, the project would be completed within the 12 months that had been planned. “This bridge will help improve traffic flow, as it can handle a lot of drivers. Currently, they are taking a ferry, and the ferry ramps can only be accessed via narrow side streets. Having this bridge link directly to National Road 1 means it will be far more time efficient,” he said. Another bridge which will link Koh Norea to Koh Pich is expected to be completed in October next year, as construction is almost half way complete.“We will have two bridges from Koh Pich to Koh Norea, better linking National Road 1 to the inner part of the capital,” said Samnang. National Road 1 resident Dara Vichey said traffic on the road was very heavy from Niroth Pagoda to the Monivong Bridge. He was forced to detour to Koh Norea and take a ferry to Koh Pich to enter the city. He hoped the new bridge would improve the situation. Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng said at the groundbreaking ceremony that the two bridges would not only reduce the time spent travelling in the capital, but would reduce transport spending as well.