$114M Mekong Bridge Opens in Kratie, Boosting Connectivity Across Northeast Corridor

KRATIE, April 1, 2026 (KPT) — A new $114 million bridge across the Mekong River in Kratie province has been opened for public use, providing a permanent link between communities on both banks and marking a major step in strengthening transport connectivity across the country’s northeastern corridor.

The Cambodia–China Friendship Mekong Kratie Bridge began serving traffic on April 1, as scheduled. The project was launched in January 2023 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and former Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian.

Spanning 1,761 meters in length and 13.5 meters in width, the bridge features two vehicle lanes, motorcycle lanes and pedestrian walkways, with clearance for river navigation. It connects Chitr Borei district on the eastern bank to Prek Prasab district on the western bank, linking key sections of National Roads 6 and 7.

The bridge as a strategic infrastructure project aligned with the government’s Pentagonal Strategy, which prioritizes connectivity as a driver of economic growth. By improving transport efficiency, the bridge is expected to boost the movement of agricultural and agro industrial products from remote northeastern regions to major markets.

The project is also set to unlock new opportunities for tourism, making travel between Kampong Thom and northeastern provinces faster and more accessible. For local communities, the bridge reduces reliance on ferries, improving access to schools, healthcare and essential services.

Funded through concessional loans from China, the bridge was built by Shanghai Construction Group and supervised by Guangzhou Wanan Engineering Consulting, reflecting ongoing infrastructure cooperation between Cambodia and China.