The Phnom Penh municipal administration is studying a subway construction project to be located in front of the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP) and the Institute of Foreign Languages (IFL) in Tuol Kork district’s Teuk La’ak I commune in the capital. The foot tunnel will serve to address traffic congestion in the area. Ministry of Public Works and Transport and municipal hall specialists are also studying it in detail before it is constructed this year. Phnom Penh Municipal Hall spokesman Met Meas Pheakdey told The Post on Tuesday that the subway would reduce traffic congestion for students and residents in the vicinity of the RUPP and the IFL. “We cannot reveal the budget and timeframe to start and conclude the subway construction as yet. For the first step, we are informing the public of the plan to construct the subway. “However, specialists from the ministry and municipal hall are studying it in detail to ensure the public derives maximum benefit from its construction. We will make efforts to have this subway built as soon as possible,” he said. Meas Pheakdey said officials had also discussed the project with students of civil and architectural engineering at the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) to obtain their comments. “The cost of the subway will be covered by the Phnom Penh municipal administration. We cannot reveal figures yet, only to say it will come from the State budget,” he said. Phnom Penh municipal governor Khuong Sreng led a meeting of the Phnom Penh municipal administrationlast week to discuss the subway project. The Phnom Penh municipal administration said its construction was to address the commuting concerns among students at the RUPP and the IFL. It will also help prevent traffic congestion once it is put into operation. RUPP Natural Resources and Environmental Management professor Kim Hong hailed the project on Tuesday. He encouraged the Phnom Penh municipal administration to carry out an in-depth study of its impacts before construction begins. “The Phnom Penh municipal administration’s development of this subway is a good achievement for society. There is traffic congestion due to the growing numbers of students and vehicles, especially during college hours. “When they leave and arrive at [the RUPP and the IFL], it is very congested. So this project is much needed and will ease the traffic woes of all those affected. Even residents in the area will benefit from it,” Hong said