The new Cambodia-China Friendship Mekong River Bridge in Kratie has completely transformed how people move around northeastern Cambodia. For years, locals on both sides of the river had no choice but to rely on slow, expensive ferries just to cross. Now, with the bridge open, getting crops from the fields to the market is much smoother, giving a much-needed boost to agriculture and tourism across the entire northeast.
For everyday families, the difference is felt most on the road. Rushing someone to the hospital in the middle of the night or trying to get kids to school on time used to mean an agonizing wait at the ferry landing, especially when bad weather made the crossing risky. Today, people can simply hop on a motorbike and ride straight across. It is faster, safer, and cuts out the daily drain on their wallets.
Local media reports that work on the project kicked off on January 2, 2023, before the bridge was officially opened to public traffic. The main bridge spans 1,761 meters in length and 13.5 meters in width. Including the main access road and four connecting branch roads, the entire project stretches 31.69 kilometers, directly linking Chet Borei district on the east bank with Prek Prasab district on the west.
