President Jokowi Officiates Section II, III, IV ofBalikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road

President Jokowi accompanied by a number of high-ranking officials inaugurates Balikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road Section II, III, IV at Samboja Toll Gate, Balikpapan, Tuesday (17/12). (Photo: AGUNG/PR)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Tuesday (17/12) inaugurated section II, III and IV of Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road from the total of five sections.

Meanwhile, construction of section I and V is estimated to finish in April next year at the latest.

According to the President, the 58.7 kilometers-long toll road is expected to increase mobility and efficiency for people and logistics.

“Previously, travelling from Balikpapan to Samarinda took approximately three hours, but with this new toll road, the travel time can be cut to just one hour,” the President said.

In addition, he continued, the toll road will improve connectivity between two business and economic centers in East Kalimantan province, namely Samarinda City and Balikpapan City, adding that the toll road will also speed up access to Indonesia’s new capital in East Kalimantan.

“I have ordered relevant stakeholders to prepare the road access to the new capital starting next year and connect it with the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road to increase connectivity since the toll road are connected to two airports in East Kalimantan, namely Pranoto Airport in Samarinda and Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan,” said President Jokowi.

The President also expressed hope that the Balikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road will boost the development of production areas, including palm oil industry, coal, oil, gas, and agricultural commodities thatare directly connected to the distribution areas. (UN/AGG/ES)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas