The construction of the $300 million third ring road was 50 percent complete as of early May and is scheduled to be finished next year, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport’s spokesman Heang Sotheayuth. The 52 kilometre road stretches from National Road 4 from Por Sen Chey district in the west of Phnom Penh and crosses National Roads 3 and 2 to National Road 1, in the east of the capital, connecting to the Phnom Penh autonomous port.

The construction of the road is expected to finish by September next year, Sotheayuth said.

The road has 47 km of cement pavement and a five km stretch with asphalt paving. If there are no disruptions, the construction of the road will be ready as planned, Sotheayuth said. “The construction process continues despite the threat of COVID-19 disease.

Both construction companies and technical consulting firms adhere to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines for combating COVID-19 disease,” he said.

The road will contribute economically to the transportation and logistics sector, joining National Roads Number 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1, to create a huge connection of roads.

It will connect ASEAN highways and major economic corridors of the Greater Mekong sub-region, contributing to the facilitation of cross-border transport and promoting international trade and logistics.

It will turn the land on either side of the ring road into potential housing, logistics and industrial development areas.