Govt to Start Toll Road Construction in Aceh
President Jokowi and several high-ranking officials press the siren button to mark the groundbreaking of Banda Aceh-Sigli toll road in Aceh Besar Friday (14/12). Photo by: BPMI.
The Indonesian Government will immediately start the construction of Banda Aceh-Sigli toll road as part of Trans Sumatra project, a toll road network which connects Aceh to Lampung.
“It was unthinkable that we would be able to connect Bakauheni (Lampung) to Aceh,” President Jokowi said during the groundbreaking of the toll road construction in Aceh Besar, Friday (14/12). The President added that the Trans Sumatra network is expected to be fully connected in 2024.
“I believe that in 2024, God willing, (Trans Sumatera) will connect Bakauheni to this point (Aceh), with a total of 2,700 kilometers,” the President added.
To realize the target, the President asked for support from the regional government in terms of land acquisition and provision for the project. According to him, the biggest obstacle to the construction of toll roads is land.
President Jokowi added that he would also immediately inaugurate Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar toll road, another section of Trans Sumatera. “A 140.8-kilometer toll road connecting Bakauheni to Besaranggi Besar will be inaugurated at the end of December. Then, a 350-kilometer toll road connecting Bakauheni to Palembang will be connected in April 2019,” he said.
President Jokowi went on to say that that the construction of toll roads and other infrastructure projects is a prerequisite for a country to be able to compete with other countries by opening up access to the economic development. “The regional governments should also be able to integrate this toll road with tourist areas and special economic zones to ease movement of goods and people and attract the investors,” the President said.
As part of the working visit, President Jokowi also inaugurated At-Taqarrub Mosque in Pidie Jaya, Arun Special Economic Zone in Lhokseumawe and Simpang Surabaya flyover that connects the city center of Banda Aceh with Sigli, Lhokseumawe, and Medan. (BPMI/EN)
Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Edited by: Ersan Pamungkas
