Gov’t Develops Mengwitani-Singaraja Shortcut to Boost N. Bali Tourism

Road expansion in North Bali. (Photo by: Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing)

In a bid to support tourism development in Bali, particularly in areas that connects North and South Bali, the Government through Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing is constructing the Mengwitani-Singaraja Shortcut with a length of around 12.76 km. The shortcut will cut travel distance from Denpasar to Singaraja from 3 hours to only 2 hours since the number of turns will be reduced.

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono asserted that the road expansion connecting Denpasar and Singaraja is vital because the current road condition is too narrow with many turns. The shortcut will be constructed in 10 locations; 4 in Tabanan Regency which is aimed at reducing congestion and 6 in Buleleng Regency.

“The Ministry tends not to build a toll road because Balinese has strong community-based economics. Of the 10 locations, we prioritized points 5 & 6 (in Buleleng), because there are 15 turns will reduce to 5 with the shortcuts. In addition, the shortcut will lower degree of slope of the road from 10-15 degree to 6 degree so it will be more comfortable and reduce traffic congestion,” the Minister added.

To date, the Ministry’s National Road Implementation Center (BBPJN) VIII has completed the development of shortcut in 4 locations, among others shortcut 3, 4, 5 6, which have been opened to public since the 2020 New Year. Budget used for the construction of shortcut 3 spanning 480 meters is Rp12.1 billion, while for the construction of shortcut 4 spanning 1,096 meters along with two bridges is Rp116.2 billion, and for shortcuts 5 and 6 spanning 1,740 meters is Rp140.6 billion.

The Head of BBPJN VIII Ahmad Subki said that the shortcuts 3, 4, 5, and 6 will cut travel distance from the periphery of Singaraja to Mengwitani. “Travel time from Denpasar to Singaraja which usually takes 2.5 hours to 3 hours will be cut to 1.5 to 2 hours since the road can be driven at 50km/hours,” he added.

Since the inauguration on 30 Desember 2019, shortcut 5, 6 connecting Denpasar and Singaraja via Bedugul became a favorite spot for selfie to many road users. Thus, the BBPJN is planning to build rest area in that location so that people can take a rest and selfie without disrupting the flow of traffic.

Subki went on to say that his office still needs to carry out the construction of shortcut 7, 8 and 9, 10. Construction of shortcut 7, 8,- which is now under design finalization and tender process-, will begin in 2020.

“The beginning of the construction depends on acceleration land acquisition process by the regional government,” he said adding that the existing roads will still be used once the shortcuts are done.

The shortcut is expected can bring equitable development between North and South Bali. Buleleng in North Bali, for example, has extraordinary tourism potentials such as dolphin watching tour in Lovina Beach, Gitgit Waterfall, Lake Buyan and Tamblingan, that are expected to continue to grow. (Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by : Yuyu Mulyani