Minister Praises Progress on First Elevated Toll Road in Eastern Indonesia

Andi Pangeran Pettarani Elevated Toll Road in the City of Makassar, South Sulawesi. (Photo by: Ministry Public Works and Public Housing).

The construction of Andi Pangeran Pettarani Elevated Toll Road in the City of Makassar, South Sulawesi which is dubbed as the first elevated toll road in Eastern Indonesia has reached 85 percent and entered the final phase, according to Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono.

The elevated toll road is expected to reduce traffic congestion in the City of Makassar and support access of logistics distribution since the road will connect the center of Makassar City, Soekarno Hatta Seaport, and Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport.

The construction of Andi Pangeran Pettarani Elevated Toll Road is taking into account the harmony between its architecture and the surrounding landscape, so that the toll road can be the new icon of the City of Makassar.

The Minister, during a video conference on Sunday (17/5), expressed appreciation for the active role of Regional Governments of South Sulawesi Province and the City of Makassar in the development of the toll road which spans 4.5 km.

“I really appreciate the Governor of South Sulawesi. We can have strong cooperation because the Central Government supports the initiative of the Regional Government, not the other way around,” he said.

The Minister also praised the contractor for using a new method namely span-by-span erection with launcher gantry that accelerates the construction, minimize disruption of the roads, avoid any construction accident, and improve the quality of the construction.

“I also want to appreciate innovation in the construction of this toll road. For those adopting innovation (in the works), I will provide them with one month worth of Ministry’s Operational Budget (DOM) as a token of appreciation,” Basuki added.

For the record, the Minister had also given one month worth of DOM to Arvilla Delitriana, an engineer who designed the long-span bridge of the Greater Jakarta Light Rail Transit.

Basuki further told that Andi Pangeran Pettarani Elevated Toll Road must have great quality to provide comfort to the users.

“Lead Rubber Bearing and Modular Expansion Joint should prevent earthquake-induce poundings. I hope this toll road has better quality than Jakarta-Cikampek Tol Road in which the joint construction did not provide comfort for road users during the first operation,” he stated.

The construction of Andi Pangeran Pettarani Elevated Toll Road which has begun since April 2018 used Rp2.24 trillion of budget. The elevated toll road is built on the national road so it requires no land acquisition. This toll road which is also known as Ujung Pandang Toll Road Section 3 will complete toll roads section I, II, and IV.

“I hope the construction, which progress has reached 85 percent, can be completed at the given time and the toll road is expected to be fully operational in September 2020,” he said.

Also on that occasion, the Minister also emphasized the importance of using domestic products in the Ministry’s projects to maintain the national economy amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have instructed Inspectorate General to check local content requirement of the products. If the products are not made by national producers, at least the manufacture must be located in Indonesia, so we don’t have to import the products,” he said.

In the meantime, Head of Indonesia Toll Road Authority (BPJT) Danang Parikesit asserted that the construction of Andi Pangeran Pettarani Elevated Toll Road aims to ease traffic congestion as well as increase connectivity and manifest equitable development of toll road in Eastern Indonesia for the advanced and prosperous Indonesia.

During the pandemic, the construction works are carried on based on Instruction of Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing Number 2 of 2020 on COVID-19 health protocols in construction works such as washing hands frequently, keeping safe distance, wearing protective personal equipment and masks. The Ministry also provides nutrition-rich foods, vitamins, and supplements for the workers to prevent COVID-19 infection. (Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana