Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia during Inspection of Semarang-Demak Toll Road Project, 11 June 2021, Demak Regency, Central Java Province

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

This afternoon, I inspected the Semarang-Demak toll road project, which is part of the Java toll road network, Java’s North Coast corridor. This corridor will connect Semarang, Demak, Rembang, Tuban, and Gresik.

The Gresik-Surabaya section has been connected to the toll road and operational. The Semarang-Demak toll road is 26.7 kilometers long; Section I of Kaligawe-Sayung spanning 10.39 kilometers and Section II of Sayung-Demak spanning 16.31 kilometers. Section I of the toll road project is funded by the Government and Section II is constructed through the Government-to-​business cooperation (KPBU) scheme.

This toll road is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion on the Kaligawe and Ahmad Yani airport route. This area has been experiencing congestions for decades because many large vehicles pass through this route.

This toll road is special because it is multifunctional. In addition to improving connectivity, Section I of this toll road will also have feature to control tidal flood by functioning retention ponds, sea embankment, and developing submerged areas into dry areas. As we may be aware, areas that are still submerged by floods will soon be dry and can be used for industry areas and centres of new economic growth.

We hope that the construction can be completed soon, so that it can boost economic growth in Central Java province.

That concludes my speech on this auspicious occasion.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. (AP/MUR)