So they widen a road, build kerbs, all with the aim of relieving congestion

Then they add a tollgate...

PPP

Veng Sreng tolls to go into effect on Dec 1
Fri, 20 November 2015
Sen David
A $10.5 million toll road along Veng Sreng Boulevard will start charging drivers as of December 1, according to a Wednesday announcement by the Phnom Penh Municipality.

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.

“This is one of the busiest streets in the city,” City Hall said in a statement. “People complain about it almost every day.”

According to Pa Socheatvong, the municipal governor, 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.

Between years 10 and 30 of the road’s operation, charges will go up to 1,500 riel for small cars; 2,500 riel for small trucks; 5,000 riel for trucks up to 2.5 tonnes and 10,000 riel for trucks above 2.5 tonnes. Truck trailers will be charged 12,000 riel.

A Phnom Penh Tollway representative, who didn’t provide his name, 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.

Local residents remain sceptical about the company’s ability to meet the deadline. Chan Sokhan, a Phnom Penh resident who commutes along Veng Sreng, said that segments of the road remain unfinished and traffic jams still persist.

“Why is the company rushing to take money from passengers early? They could take more time to finish [the project],” he said.

Tollways are a great idea to improve traffic. They give a commercial interest to provide better transport solutions of which people will be willing to pay extra. If the new road is not better then no one will pay. If you cannot afford the toll I suggest you re-evaluate your monthly budget.

Wayyy over your head, LOL

I'm talking about the speed and flow of the traffic. People have to slow down to pay. Why did they widen the road? To ease the congestion/ improve the speed. Will stopping to pay do this? No.

Sometimes I think the K1 kids should offer private lessons, they'd get students.

If the road is not better no one will pay...hahahaha, yeah, they'll just use the M1

Try and keep up.

Digg3r wrote:Tollways are a great idea to improve traffic. They give a commercial interest to provide better transport solutions of which people will be willing to pay extra.

In an ideal world: yes. In the KoW money will be collected, disappear without a trace and the road will fall apart in no time as most of the money earmarked for building the road was siphoned off.

If there is no benefit people will take a free and alternative route.

i dont know but last time i checked dont toll booths tend to generate traffic...

Would the company spend $10m upgrading the road in exchange for no revenue?
Thought not.

Jamie_Lambo wrote:i dont know but last time i checked dont toll booths tend to generate traffic...

Sssh, don't tell Australia. Maybe they'll pay Cambodia $40m to build 4

hanno wrote:

Digg3r wrote:Tollways are a great idea to improve traffic. They give a commercial interest to provide better transport solutions of which people will be willing to pay extra.

In an ideal world: yes. In the KoW money will be collected, disappear without a trace and the road will fall apart in no time as most of the money earmarked for building the road was siphoned off.

You mean some people are dishonest? We are in Cambodia? SHOCK. HORROR.

ali baba wrote:Would the company spend $10m upgrading the road in exchange for no revenue? Thought not.

Dude, the discussion centers on whether it will relieve congestion or not. See the title? Need a few days to get that?

Dave's not here, man.