Gov’t to Build 148 Suspension Bridges in 2020

Bojong Apus Bridge, in Lebak Regency, Banten Province. (Photo by: Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing)

The Government through Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing will build 148 suspension bridges throughout Indonesia in 2020 by using Rp710 billions of budget.

To date, all suspension bridges that have been built by the Government through the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing has benefited the community. The bridges also connect villages and stimulate the economy as the villages are developed into tourist destinations.

Building suspension bridges is one of policies in President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s second term, which is aimed at developing infrastructures in regions, particularly in villages that have limited access.

“The bridges will improve the access and cut travel time for the people to go to school, market, work, and to offices of regional governments,” Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono said.

Considering geographic features of Indonesia which has many mountains, valleys, and rivers, suspension bridges is highly needed by the people. The features separate residential areas with public facilities such as schools, markets, and regional government offices.

In 2019, the Ministry’s Bina Marga Road Agency has built 140 suspension bridges throughout the country by using Rp608.69 billion of budget.

During four years (2015-2018), the Ministry has supported the regional governments by constructing 300 suspension bridges; including 10 bridges spanning 774 meters were built in 2015 by using Rp210.57 billion of budget, 7 bridges spanning 720 meters were built in 2016 by using Rp19.3 billion of budget, 13 bridges spanning 814 meters were built in 2017 by using Rp38.28 billion of budget, 130 bridges spanning 9,290 meters were built in 2018 by using Rp530.43 billion of budget.

The suspension bridges have been designed very carefully with excellent material and advanced technology. The materials used in the development of the bridges, including steel, cables, and bolts, are made by national manufacturer.

For the record, the development of suspension bridges is a recommendation from regional governments (government at province/regency/city levels), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), and Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) which was submitted to the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing by taking into account geographical, social, and economic conditions, as well as regional potential, benefits, and the urgency of bridge construction. (BKP Kementerian PUPR/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by : Yuyu Mulyani