ADB provides Cambodia $69 mil. to improve provincial roads

The Asian Development Bank has provided $69 million for Cambodia to make major upgrades of provincial roads in some of the country’s poorest provinces, according to an ADB statement Wednesday. The Provincial Roads Improvement Project, financed by a $52 million loan from ADB Special Funds and a $17 million loan and grant from the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience, will be used to rehabilitate about 150 kilometers of unpaved provincial roads in Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Prey Veng and Svay Rieng provinces. “Efficient transport is critical for economic growth. This initiative will provide safe, cost-effective and year-round access to markets, employment centers and social services for poor and remote communities,” ADB Vice President Stephen P. Groff said during signing for the assistance. Cambodia’s rural economy is becoming increasingly dependent on the road network, but the steady growth in traffic, overloaded cargo vehicles and poor road maintenance and standards continue to take a severe toll on the 9,500 km of secondary national and provincial roads, only 11 percent of which is paved. …

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