JAKARTA. State-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk (JSMR) has commenced the operation of the Manado-Bitung toll road, North Sulawesi's first toll road, which was built with an investment cost of Rp 4.95 trillion.
According to PT Jasamarga Manado Bitung (JMB) CEO George I.M.P. Manurung, the toll road has a length of 29 km and consists of the 14-km section 1 (Manado-Airmadidi) and the 25-km section 2 (Airmadidi-Bitung).
"In the near future we will commence the operation of the 26.35-km Manado-Danowudu section, which is wholly a part of section 1 and partly of section 2," Mr Manurung said in an official statement received by IDNFinancials.com.
JSMR will also continue the development of the 12.65-km Danowudu-Bitung section, which is expected for completion in April 2021. The progress has reached 77.61% and the land acquisition process has reached 99.23%.
The Manado-Bitung toll road, said Mr Manurung, will facilitate access to several strategic points including Bitung International Port, Bitung Special Economic Zone, and Manado-Bitung-Likupan National Tourism Strategic Zone.
"This is expected to boost the competitiveness of North Sulawesi," said Mr Manurung. (KR/MS)