Korean Friendship Bridge
Update
Date: February 27, 2025
The Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge project is advancing steadily toward its planned construction start in June 2025. On February 25, 2025, a technical inspection was conducted by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Electricité du Cambodge (EDC), and Yooshin JV at the construction site in Phnom Penh. The focus was on assessing the underground power transmission lines to ensure no disruptions occur during construction, demonstrating a proactive approach to integrating with existing infrastructure. This cable-stayed bridge, funded by a $235 million loan from Korea’s Export-Import Bank, will connect the Night Market area in Phnom Penh to Arey Ksat in Kandal province, spanning the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. Yooshin Engineering Corporation continues to oversee the detailed design and supervision, keeping the project on track to ease traffic congestion and boost tourism upon completion.
Date: September 26, 2024
In a significant move towards the realization of the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) has signed a detailed study contract with South Korea's Yooshin Engineering Corporation. The contract focuses on essential preparations for the bridge’s construction, which includes conducting a thorough technical study, preparing detailed documentation, overseeing procurement activities, selecting a construction company, and ensuring quality inspections throughout the project.
The signing ceremony, held on September 25, 2024, was officiated by Mr. So Victor, Secretary of State of MPWT, alongside representatives from Yooshin Engineering Corporation. This marks a key step forward in the bridge’s timeline, as Yooshin is tasked with completing the technical groundwork before construction begins.
Where is the bridge and road location?
The Korean Friendship Bridge in Phnom Penh is designed to span across the Tonle Sap River, linking the area adjacent to the Night Market with Chroy Changvar, and extending over the Mekong River to reach Areyksat.
Korean Friendship Bridge:
Date: February 26, 2024
The $245 million cable-stayed Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge will be built in two sections across the Tonle Sap River and Mekong River, connecting Phnom Penh to Arey Ksat area in Kandal province.
One section will go from Night Market area to Chroy Changvar peninsula, the other from Chroy Changvar to Arey Ksat.
The project is funded by a $245.9 million loan from South Korea, signed in December 2022.
Construction was originally planned to begin in late 2023, but is now set to start in the first half of 2025 after final evaluation.
It will be a 4-lane, 27.5m wide cable-stayed bridge with max speed of 80km/h.
Expected to take 47 months to complete once construction begins.
Viewed as symbol of Cambodia-Korea friendship and contributing to Cambodia's development.
Infrastructure project is set to reshape the Cambodian skyline and further bond this nation to South Korea.
Named the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge, the cable-stayed bridge is a monumental structure that will stretch across two of the most powerful rivers: Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, from the capital to the high-development area of Arey Ksat in Kandal province.
A Symbol of Enduring Friendship
The name of the bridge is an expression of the lasting friendship of Cambodia with South Korea, through which two countries are firmly bound to each other and are committed to a shared pursuit of progress and development. The project cost $245 million, financed through a loan from the Korean government. It will speak more than a marvel of engineering for itself in the large diplomatic and economic relations that would have built up over the years between the two countries.
Architectural Marvel
This is a design that is meant to be nothing short of a miracle of architecture: the cable-stayed bridge with high, narrow pylons will support the deck on a set of cables.
This modern construction will be not only eye-catching from the visual side but also very practical: four lanes and the whole width answer the demands of the fast-growing traffic in the locality. The bridge will be in two parts, from the Night Market area in Phnom Penh to the Chroy Changvar Peninsula, and the other from the Chroy Changvar Peninsula to the Arey Ksat area.
The new bridge, together with the Kira-Kitukutwe express highway, shall be a reprieve to many of the road users who face a lot of hardships through traffic jams and long travel hours into the capital.
Boosting Economic Growth
Beyond the aesthetic value and value of functionality, many believe that the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge would be a great booster for the economic development of the area. Connectivity in movement of goods and services will open new arena for trade and investment.
In fact, the construction itself will offer numerous job opportunities to the local workforce, and it will stimulate industrial activity, starting from materials to transportation.
Real Estate Boom
One of the most significant impacts of the bridge is likely to be felt in the real estate sector. Where the Arey Ksat area was once considered the suburban far-flung area, it will make its way into accessibility for those far and fro from Phnom Penh and, therefore, gain high demand for the location of housing and commercial properties. No wonder that investors and developers within the area are already casting their eyes at the very promising rise of its property values and the possibility of a real estate boom.
Environmental Considerations
Surely, the bridge promises many benefits; on the other hand, such construction and running will also have to take care of environmental concerns. Project planners work closely with environmental experts in the view of ensuring that minimal damage results to the ecosystems of the Tonle Sap and Mekong River, since they are vital to biodiversity; it is, therefore, supported by the lives of local communities. A Milestone for Cambodia The construction process of the Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge seems to be unfolding with time, developing a lot of excitement and pride among many Cambodians. For the ambitious project it symbolizes, changes and commitment in country infrastructure development and stand testimony to changing international partners and to an emerging Cambodia, which is turning into a regional economic hub. Cambodia-Korea Friendship Bridge, through the completion in 2029, should open a completely new chapter for the further development of this country, as it is the iconic landmark, symbol of friendship, and progress, at the same time absolutely needed artery for further future growth and prosperity.
