Phnom Penh’s Veng Sreng tolls to go into effect on Dec 1

Phnom Penh’s Veng Sreng tolls to go into effect on Dec 1

PHNOM PENH: A $10.5 million toll road along Veng Sreng Boulevard will start charging drivers as of Dec 1, the Phnom Penh Municipality announced on Wednesday, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

The toll road, built by private contractor Phnom Penh Tollway, will aim to reduce congestion in one of the capital’s most traffic-heavy areas. The company is scrambling to finish construction before the end of the month.

Pa Socheatvong, the municipal governor, said the impact of rush-hour congestion on and around the road is estimated at $70 million per year in petrol costs and lost travel time, not counting traffic accidents or property damage.

As part of the construction, the company widened Veng Sreng’s 6,500-metre stretch by 10 metres, to a total width of 28 metres. It also thickened the pavement to be able to sustain heavier loads.

In the first nine years of the expanded road’s operation, Phnom Penh Tollway will charge 1,000 riel for small cars, taxis and pickup trucks; 2,000 riel for 12- to 24-seat vehicles and equivalent-sized trucks; and 4,000 riel for 24- to 45-seat vehicles and trucks up to 2.5 tonnes. Trucks above 2.5 tonnes will be charged 8,000 riel and trailer trucks will be charged 10,000 riel.

A Phnom Penh Tollway representative said the project started in 2013, but delays due to rubbish and uncooperative street vendors made the company have to work “day and night” to finish construction by the end of the month.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/phnom-penhs-veng-sreng-tolls-to-go-into-effect-on-dec-1

-- Thai PBS 2015-11-21