The World Bank has approved an additional financing of $110m to Cambodia for improving the condition and safety of National Road 4, a key national highway that connects Phnom Penh to Cambodia’s only deepsea port in Preah Sihanouk province.

Using the additional financing, the Cambodian government intends to upgrade more than 200km of the road with an overlay of asphalt concrete, as well as replace the existing hard shoulders and build drains and bridges along flood-prone areas.

The additional financing will expand the existing Road Asset Management Project II (RAMP II), which was approved in May 2016.

“Improvement of this key corridor will reduce travel time and logistics costs, which would help Cambodia’s economy to be more competitive in the region.”

The project is aimed at improving connectivity along national road corridors in Kampot, Preah Sihanouk, Tbong Khmom, and Kratie provinces.

It also enables an immediate response in case of a crisis or emergency.

RAMP II project director Sovicheano Pheng said: “Cambodia’s economic development relies on National Road 4, as it is the only road connecting the economic centre of the country to the deep seaport of Cambodia.

“Improvement of this key corridor will reduce travel time and logistics costs, which would help Cambodia’s economy to be more competitive in the region.”

Government authorities will use the additional financing to upgrade weighing stations and reduce the risk of overloading.

Speed-limit zoning and safety corridors will also be installed, in addition to carrying out feeder road improvements that include guide-signs, solar-powered lights and speed cameras.