President Jokowi Inspects Construction Site of IKN Toll Road

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inspects the IKN toll road project (11/01). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (11/01) in North Penajam Paser regency, East Kalimantan province, inspected firsthand the construction site of the toll road connecting Balikpapan with the Nusantara Capital (IKN) to oversee its development progress.

According to the President, the toll road is expected to cut the travel time from Balikpapan to IKN. For instance, a journey that typically takes 2 hours 15 minutes would be reduced to just 50 minutes via toll road.

“The toll road is currently under construction and will enhance both the mobility of people and the transportation of goods to IKN once completed,” he said.

On that occasion, the President revealed that the progress of the toll road construction has advanced to nearly 55 percent completion.

“The toll road is expected to be fully functional by June next year,” he added.

Apart from road infrastructure, the Government is also working on other supporting facilities, including rest areas and a plan to plant thousands of trees along the toll road.

“We want to make both sides of the toll road as green as can be. Thus, we’re starting to plant endemic Kalimantan trees. We have set aside 60 thousand trees just for this toll road project,” the President remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/DNS) (RIF/MUR)