Gov’t to Complete Bakauheni-Palembang Toll Road in Mid-2019

President Jokowi answers reporters’ questions after inspecting the construction of Bakauheni Toll Road-Terbanggi Besar Section 3: Kota Baru–Metro, Friday (23/11). (Photo by: Jay/Public Relations)

Starting his working visit to Lampung, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Friday (23/11) inspected the construction of Bakauheni Toll Road-Terbanggi Besar Section 3: Kota Baru–Metro.

The 140.83-kilometer Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar toll road is part of the toll road from Bakauheni (Lampung Province) to Palembang (South Sumatra Province) that spans 350 kilometers.

“We hope that this section (Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar) will be completed in December 2018. Later, we will finish the toll road to Palembang in mid-2019,” President Jokowi said.

The President expressed hopes that with the construction of the Bakauheni-Palembang toll road, it will increase competitiveness at surrounding areas. Economic growth points around the toll road will be integrated later with industrial zones as well as special economic zones which are all also at construction process.

According to the President, the whole Trans Sumatra Toll Road constructions start at both endpoint cities of Sumatra island and will be concatenate in the middle and predicted to be accomplished by 2024.

President Jokowi has also assessed that the quality of the construction of Bakauheni-Palembang toll road is good. The land readiness is not only suitable for the road but also for high-speed trains or medium-speed trains. If there are some lands remain, it will be used for other functions such as for railways.

Regarding the construction of the railway alongside the toll road, the President said that other countries do that for efficiency. “However, we must calculate it first, either the Internal Rate of Return or the Return on Investment. Everything must be calculated,” the President concluded.

Also accompanied President Jokowi on the inspection were First Lady Ibu Iriana, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono (FID/JAY/ES)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Edited by: Mia Medyana