Gov’t Hopes to Complete Trans Java Toll Road Construction by 2019

President Jokowi tries Section III of Semarang – Solo Toll Road : Bawen – Salatiga at the toll gate of Salatiga Toll Road in Tingkir Tengah Sub-District, Tingkir District, Salatiga, Central Java, Monday (25/9) (Photo by: Public Relations Division/Jay)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo hopes that the construction of Trans Java Toll Road, which has not been consistently carried out, can be completed by the end of next year. According to the President, it is expected that Jakarta will be connected with Surabaya and Probolinggo by the toll road.

“From Banten in the west and Banyuwangi in the east can be connected,” President Jokowi said in his welcoming remarks at the inauguration of Section III of Semarang – Solo Toll Road and  Bawen – Salatiga Section at the gate of Salatiga Toll Road in Tingkir Tengah Sub-District, Tingkir District, Salatiga, Central Java, Monday (25/9).

The President added State-owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono have also pledged that the construction of Trans Java Toll Road, which stretches from Banten until Banyuwangi, will be completed in 2019. “The two ministers have promised this. I will always monitor the project,” the President said.

President Jokowi added that based on data from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing last year, the total length of toll roads in Indonesia reaches 780 KM. In fact, the President added, China can build 4,000 – 5,000 kilometers of toll roads in a year.

The President added back in 1977 when Indonesia built Jagorawi Toll Road, other countries learned the management and construction process and now those countries have thousands of kilometers of toll roads while Indonesia only has 780 kilometers of toll roads. “So why do we only have 780 kilometers of toll roads? The problems are mostly caused by land acquisition issues,” the President said, adding that the key to this problem is land acquisition because Indonesia’s capacity to construct toll roads is as good as that of other countries. “When it comes to construction process, it’s all the same,” the President said.

Three years ago, the President said he told related ministers such as Minister of Public Works and Public Housing and Minister of State-owned Enterprises that the Government expects to construct 1,200 kilometers of toll roads in five years.

“I’ve already discussed with Minister of Public Works and Public Housing that by 2019, we expect to construct 1,800 kilometers of toll roads,” President Jokowi said, adding that the construction of toll roads should be modelled after the construction of Bawen-Salatiga Toll Road.

“The construction of Bawen-Salatiga Toll Road is conducted by a consortium of state-owned enterprises, including state-owned toll road operator Jasa Marga, private sectors, and Central Java Provincial Government,” the President said.

President Jokowi also believes that through the consortium, the construction process will be faster and the land acquisition issue can be settled faster.

“We must be on par with other countries. If our neighboring countries can do so, we can also do more. We are a big country,” the President said.

Joining the President at the inauguration ceremony were First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo,  Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Ministet of State-owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, Salatiga Mayor, as well as regents and heads of sub-districts. (DNA/OJI/ES) (EP/YM/Naster)