In Prey Veng Province, Cambodia, a straight national highway traverses tropical jungles and farmland, extending from the southwest to the northeast of Tebenkemun Province, with trucks and pickups flowing endlessly. This is Cambodia's National Highway No. 11, which was rebuilt and expanded by the contractor China Road and Bridge Engineering Co., Ltd. This project is a key project of China-Cambodia co-construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and also a key project of the Cambodian road backbone network upgrade plan.

China-Cambodia friendly cooperation

National Highway No. 11 connects Cambodian National Highways No. 1, No. 7, and No. 8. The main trunk line is 96.48 kilometers in length and is an important part of the Cambodian radial road network. The project started in December 2017. In June 2021, the project will be completed and handed over 14 months ahead of schedule. During the construction of the project, Cambodian Minister of State and Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Zhantuo visited the site many times and spoke highly of the quality of the project.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen stated that China supports Cambodia's road infrastructure construction and has made important contributions to Cambodia's economic and social development and improvement of people's livelihood. The National Highway No. 11 reconstruction and expansion project is of great significance and "is the result of the friendly cooperation between Cambodia and China."

Pulun, the mayor of Siwai Village in Prey Veng Province, witnessed the tremendous changes before and after the road was rebuilt and expanded. "The previous road was potholes and bumps, and it was muddy after rain. The road was also very narrow, and it would be dangerous to drive to the crocks of the road if you didn't pay attention." Pullen said, now National Highway No. 11 has been given a new look, and the flat asphalt concrete pavement is greatly improved. Improved road safety and driving comfort.

The truck driver Son Gunda often travels between Prey Veng and Tebenkemon provinces along National Highway 11. He said that before the expansion, it took at least three hours to drive the whole line, but now it only takes less than one and a half hours, which greatly improves transportation efficiency and makes driving safer.

According to reports, during the construction of the project, China Road and Bridge directly employed about 1,100 local workers. There are more and more restaurants, hotels, and canteens along National Highway 11, which has boosted local business prosperity. Zhou Yong, assistant to the general manager of China Road and Bridge and general manager of the Cambodia office, said: “The local people have enjoyed convenient and comfortable road traffic and shared the dividends of road construction to get rich. We are happy for this.” Editor/Tian Zengpeng