BALIKPAPAN - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) is currently completing the construction of the 99.35 km Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road. At present, the construction progress has reached 97%.
"Of the total five sections available, section 2, 3 and 4 as long as 66 km are ready to be inaugurated before Christmas 2019, which is portion of Toll Road Business Entity (BUJT). The inauguration is predicted in the second week, we’re still waiting for the President’s schedule," said PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono.
The toll road which has an investment value of Rp 9.9 trillion is expected to support connectivity for the development of the State Capital, which crosses Samboja District, Kutai Kartanegara, which is one of the Regencies other than North Penajam Paser Regency. With the new toll road, travel time from Balikpapan-Samarinda can be cut from 3 hours to 1 hour.
Meanwhile, sections 1 and 5 that are government’s portion, said Minister Basuki, is still in the process of being resolved, because there are technical problems with the land movement. Therefore, a special construction techniques are needed. (LM)