Conservationists Begin Repairs on Western Bridge of Angkor Wat Temple

Siem Reap- The Western Bridge of Angkor Wat or known as “Spean Harl” has been undergoing a series of repairs since May 2016 and will require the next 4 years until its completion in 2020.

An Sopheap, an official of the Department of Temple Conservations in the Angkor vicinity, has said that the repairs are still in its early stages and data and technical documentations are still being collected to determine the best possible ways to efficiently repair the ancient bridge that millions of tourists cross every year to adore the beauty of the temple that lies beyond it.

The repair project is in its second phase and is done by the cooperation between the Aspara Authorities and the University of Sophiya of Japan. The Apsara Authority is tasked with budget management and labor forces providing 4 Cambodian historian experts, 54 architects, and 54 skilled works. On the other hand, the Japanese side is responsible for providing technical experts and expertise as well as equipment. The project has also received additional guidance from ADHOC experts from the ICC-Angkor committee.

According to the experts, a 133.5-meter dam will be built along the north wall of the bridge (Spean Harl). The project has launched 5 research excavations along the bridge to study and compare architectural structures and understand the history of the damage assessment level of the bridge.

Conservationists Start Repairs on the Western Bridge of Angkor Wat