Cambodia’s tallest bridge, part of the nearly completed National Road No. 10 project, is poised to deliver significant economic and logistical benefits to the country, according to Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, First Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia.
The $25 million bridge—known as Bridge 28—is located in Chhay Louk village, O’Som commune, Veal Veaeng district, Pursat province.
Towering 90 metres above the riverbed and stretching 537 metres in length, it is not only a milestone in Cambodian engineering but also a critical component in boosting connectivity between remote provinces and national trade corridors, said Chanthol during a site visit and symbolic concrete-pouring ceremony at Bridge 28 on Tuesday.
“This is a historic project. This bridge is more than just a structure—it’s an enabler of economic growth and rural development,” said Chanthol. “It will unlock the potential areas of provinces like Veal Veng and Samlot, previously isolated due to poor infrastructure.”
Chanthol added that the bridge will allow people to travel and transport directly from Battambang to Koh Kong provinces without having to go through Phnom Penh—thus cutting up to 306 km of travel distance. The travel distance between Pailin province and Koh Kong—upon the completion of Bridge 28—will also be cut by 372 km.
By investing in the bridge, he added, the government is helping the people save money and time, thus leading to more disposable income and better livelihoods.
“This bridge will serve as a vital link for the movement of people and goods, particularly agricultural products from rural provinces to international markets, by bringing provinces closer and, at the same time increase tourist activities,” Chanthol said. “Reducing the logistic cost will also contribute to reducing poverty.”
Constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and technically supervised by Guangzhou Wanan Construction Supervision Co., Ltd, the bridge is being funded entirely by Cambodia’s national budget. With a width of 10 metres and enhanced by a central viewpoint that spans 15 metres, the bridge has also been designed to promote tourism.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), which oversees the project, has developed rest areas and photo-taking spots on the bridge, offering panoramic views of the surrounding natural landscape. Parking lots on both ends of the bridge can accommodate up to 60–70 tourist and family vehicles, making it a potential new attraction in western Cambodia.
Beyond its visual grandeur, the bridge offers practical advantages. It connects remote areas in Battambang, Pursat, and Koh Kong provinces, allowing faster, more efficient transport of goods to key destinations such as deep-sea ports, logistics centres, and international border gates—without the need to pass through the traffic-heavy capital.
Bridge 28 is part of the 197.36-kilometre National Road No. 10 project, which began construction in March 2020 and is now over 96% complete. The road runs from National Road 57-7 in Samlot district, Battambang province, through Pursat, and ends at National Road 48 in Khemarak Phoumint City, Koh Kong province.
Chanthol emphasised that with improving logistic infrastructures and increasing connectivity always a priority of the Kingdom, the government is committed to investing in all types of infrastructure to fulfil the needs of the people and local businesses.
“This work is endless,” he added. “Samdech Techo [Hun Sen] made it a priority over 30 years ago. Without roads, without bridges, we will never be able to go forward.”
