A new Chinese-funded bridge across the Mekong River in Kratie province is set to open for temporary use during the Pchum Ben Festival in September, following the completion of 96 percent of its construction. The announcement was made this morning during a ceremony marking the connection of the final segment of the Cambodia–China Mekong Kratie Friendship Bridge, held under the presidency of H.E. Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the Council for the Development of Cambodia. The event was attended by H.E. Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport and the ministry’s senior officials, along with provincial leaders, civil servants, teachers and students, local authorities, and representatives from the construction and consulting firms. The bridge links Talus village in Bos Leav commune, Chetr Borei district, to Thmar Reap village in Prek Prasop commune, Prek Prasop district. It is part of an over US$100 million infrastructure project which also includes two medium bridges, a short bridge, and a road connecting NR7 to NR60B. The main bridge spans 1,761 metres in length and 13.5 metres in width, while the entire project features 31.69 kilometres of connecting roads. In his speech, H.E. Sun Chanthol emphasised the project’s significance in enhancing Cambodia’s internal connectivity. He noted that the bridge and connecting roads will boost transport efficiency, especially for the agricultural, agro-industrial, and tourism sectors in the northeastern provinces. Moreover, the bridge is expected to improve daily mobility for local residents and promote broader regional integration under the frameworks of ASEAN, the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), and the Mekong–Lancang Cooperation.