Feature: A day in life of a road inspector on Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway

PHNOM PENH, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Before 6 a.m., Chen Ry wakes up and prepares breakfast for himself and his wife. He has to leave home by seven o'clock for work, which involves patrolling the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway and helping to manage any incidents that occur along the route.

Built and funded by the China Road and Bridge Corporation, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway is Cambodia's first high-speed toll road, connecting the bustling capital of Phnom Penh with Sihanoukville, the largest port in the nation.

As one of the first road inspectors on this expressway, Ry shared his excitement about the job. "The road is stunning. I never get tired of driving it," he said. "I hope there will be more roads like this in Cambodia, especially ones that connect to my hometown."

Ry comes from Ratanakiri Province in northeastern Cambodia, an area known for its rugged terrain and poor road conditions. He used to earn around 100 U.S. dollars a month washing motorcycles, but since taking the job, his income has gone up considerably.

Looking back on his early days as a road inspector, Ry remembers feeling overwhelmed at first. However, with the support of his Chinese mentor, he learned the ins and outs of highway management. "Everything about the expressway was new to me," he said. "I needed to learn more and gain experience to really make the highway feel like 'my own.'"

Thanks to the hard work of Ry and his colleagues, the Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway has been running smoothly and safely for over 900 days, and has served more than 12 million vehicles. It reduces travel time between Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville from five hours to under two, bringing convenience to the Cambodian people.

Like Ry, numerous Cambodian families have seen their lives improve because of the expressway. Fang Xisheng, general manager of the expressway management company, noted that the construction of the highway has created over 10,000 jobs and brought in more than 200 million dollars in local purchases.

During its operation, the expressway has generated over 2,000 job opportunities through direct and indirect employment. Moreover, the company has promoted 21 outstanding local employees to management roles, ensuring the expressway runs smoothly and preparing talent for the future of Cambodia's highway sector.

As night falls, Ry wraps up his shift and hands over his duties to the night crew before heading home. His wife, who helps in the kitchen of the company, is already waiting for him to go home together.

Ry's home is close to the expressway. He can sometimes hear the sound of traffic. "That sound gives me peace," he said. "Thanks to this expressway, our family's life is on the fast track." ■