Japan’s Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co. announced on April 9 that it completed the Neak Loeung Bridge across the Mekong River in Cambodia that was funded by Japanese official development assistance. The inauguration ceremony took place on 6, where Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen and Deputy Minister of Transport of Japan Akihiro Nishimura attended. The bridge was named “Tsubasa Bridge,” a Japanese word for wings.

The 2.2km three-span suspension bridge has two main towers of 121m high each. Approach roads are 3.2km long in total. The total 5.4km stretch including the main bridge and the approach bridges are designed by a consortium of two Japanese consulting firms; Chodai and Oriental Consultants.

Cambodian National Highway No.1 including the bridge links Ho Chi Minh City of Vietnam and Bangkok of Thailand via the country’s capital, Phnom Penh. Completion of the connected highway, which was once divided by the river, enables transportation of people and goods much more convenient. (2015/04/10)