The work of fourth Cambodia-China Friendship Bridge has almost been completed after a 16-month construction, a contractor said Thursday.

He Luesa, head of Shanghai Construction (Group) General Company' s construction team, said the construction of a 855 meters by 13.5 meters Takhmao Bridge across Tonle Bassac River will be completed in late July this year.

"The remaining task for the bridge is the paving of tar," he said.

Then, the company will construct a total of 11.2 km of tar- paved roads on each sides of the bridge to connect it to National Road No. 2 in the west of the river and to National Road No. 1 in the east of the river.

"The whole project will be entirely completed in May 2015," he added.

The project would totally cost 32.89 million U.S. dollars, which is a concessional loan from the Chinese government.

Speaking during a visit to the bridge Thursday, Lim Sidenin, secretary of state at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said the bridge is vital to contribute to easing traffic jams between Kandal province and capital Phnom Penh, boosting economic development and reducing poverty.

"In the name of the Cambodian government, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the government of China for providing loan for the construction of this bridge and to the Shanghai Construction Company for building the bridge with international standards," he said.

Song Xiaoguo, an economic councilor at Chinese Embassy to Cambodia, said so far, China has funded the construction of seven bridges across rivers in Cambodia. Three among them have already been completed and opened for traffic.

"China sees Cambodia as a good friend, neighbor, brother and partner and will continue assisting this country in developing economy and reducing poverty," he said.

China is the largest donor for road and bridge development in Cambodia. The two countries upgraded the bilateral relations to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Cooperation in December 2010.