Ferry service bids to ease Monivong congestion

The Phnom Penh City Hall is seeking support from residents and concerned authorities to ease traffic congestion at the Monivong intersection, where work is progressing on a new Hun Sen Boulevard flyover.

Phnom Penh Municipal Administration is planning to complete the work of the $36.77 million flyover in 36 months.

▲The traffic snarl near the Monivong intersection in the evening.

On Saturday, Phnom Penh Capital Administration convened an emergency meeting of its technical working group in response to an outcry from the public against the heavy traffic congestion along Monivong Boulevard, Hun Sen Boulevard and Street 271 that started on March 1.

In the meeting, the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration instructed the contractor to minimise fences around the construction site to enable traffic to flow smoothly.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Police and relevant authorities were also urged to increase their presence to direct traffic and relieve bottlenecks around the construction site.

“The roadside vendors are advised to stop using sidewalks for selling and motorists should not stop or park on the road blocking the traffic at the intersection. Authorities are considering taking action against people who use the sidewalks for their business” a statement issued by the Phnom Penh Municipal Administration read.

The statement added that the Phnom Penh administration also instructed the director of the Department of Public Works to prepare a report on starting a ferry service for people travelling from Koh Norea in Chbar Ampov district to the Chroy Changvar area.

This route would supplement the ferry service from Koh Norea to Koh Pich.

The statement said, “The Municipal Authority requests citizens to use GPS and Google Maps to check the traffic flows before entering the Monivong flyover and find alternate routes if you know how to use the map and have a choice.”

Meanwhile, Keut Chhe, Deputy Governor of Phnom Penh, that similar congestion problems along Monivong, Norodom Boulevard and National Roads were resolved after authorities had blocked the entry of trucks into that central area.

He added that discussions are ongoing to solve traffic jams along the Monivong intersection and also whether ferries can be used for commuters from Koh Norea to Sokha Hotel.

An Chhorvin, 29, an employee at a shopping mall in Phnom Penh, said that people who are not abiding by the traffic laws are adding to the chaotic situation at the Monivong flyover construction site.

She said “I missed several days at work due to the traffic jams. I urge the authorities to ease traffic congestion during the rush hours.”

▲Ferries at Koh Norea

Source: Khmer Times