ANA Starts RestoringSecond Phase of Ta Ong Ancient Bridge

Experts from the Department of Conservation of Monuments and Preventive Archaeology of the APSARA National Authority (ANA) are in the process of restoring the Ta Ong Bridge, which is an ancient bridge built during the Angkorian period from April to August 2022, using the ANA’s funds.
According to the authority’s news release on April. 5, rehabilitation of the foundation of this ancient bridge is to strengthen the structure of the bridge, especially to facilitate the flow of water to avoid flooding and the travel of people as well as attract more tourists to visit here.
Mr. Puth Soth, an official in charge of restoring this bridge, said that on the south side of the Ta Ong bridge, there is a lot of deterioration, such as falling stones in two spots and a cracked wall of the bridge. Mr. Soth further stated about the restoration process now such as his team making a list of stone registration plans, restoring the stones, strengthening the bridge pillars that collapsed, and restoring the cracked wall on the east. At the same time, the Naga balustrade is restored for a total length of 70 metres.
Mr. Puth Soth added that the factors that caused the Ta Ong bridge to be damaged were due to age, natural factors, and the pressure of the weight caused by people. Currently, the Ta Ong ancient bridge, located in Chong Spean village, Khvav commune, Chi Kreng district, Siem Reap province, is very old and dilapidated in many parts, such as cracks, some stones have fallen in the middle part of the bridge on both sides, and other parts also are facing the same risk.
The bridge was built from laterite and is decorated with a sandstone carving of a meditating Buddha sitting at the centre of a nine-headed Naga during the Angkorian period in the Bayon style.
In 2020, experts from the APSARA National Authority restored the Ta Ong Bridge in the first phase on the north side, such as the Naga balustrade, the reinforcement of 11 pillar walls, and the excavation of the waterway flowing through.

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press