President Jokowi Targets IKN Toll Road Ready To Be Used In July 2024

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) when giving information after reviewing the Toll Road Project, IKN, East Kalimantan, Wednesday (1/11/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) targets the capital city of Nusantara (IKN) toll road to be used by vehicles in July 2024. This decision was taken to support the transfer of the initial stage and the holding of the Independence ceremony on August 17 at IKN.

The IKN toll road will be connected to the Balikpapan-Samarinda (Balsam) toll road, which is expected to shorten the distance from Balikpapan to the core area of IKN, and thus accelerate the mobility of goods and people to IKN.

"The progress has almost reached 55%, and it is hoped that by July 2024, this road can be used. We also ensure that this road will be planted with Kalimantan endemic trees along the right and left of the road," he said quoting the Cabinet Secretariat website, Thursday, November 2.

Prior to the IKN toll road, traveling from Balikpapan to IKN via the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road, then heading to Sepaku and entering the archipelago, took about 2 hours and 15 minutes. With the construction of the IKN toll road, it is estimated that a direct trip from Balikpapan to Nusantara will only take 45 minutes with a distance of about 57 km.

Head of the Nusantara IKN Infrastructure Development Task Force (Kasatgas), Danis H Sumadilaga, revealed that the current construction consists of three sections. Section 3A Karangjoang-KKT Kariangau along the 13.4 km has progress of around 34.22%. Section 3B KKT Kariangau- Tempadung Intersection along the 7.3 km has progress of around 42.67%, while Section 5A Simpang Tempadung-Branch of Balang Island along 6.7 km has progress of about 61%.

"Currently, the construction will continue, and the plan will continue with an overpass work package, beautification, and the completeness of toll roads," he said.

In addition to the construction of the IKN toll road, the Ministry of PUPR has also continued the final stage of the Balang Island Bridge which was completed in 2021. This work includes various aspects such as the construction of bridge safety, landscape park, playground, shophouse, public toilet, mosque, guard post, floating dock, solar panel, and amphitheater.

The Balang Island Bridge consists of the main 804-meter-long part, a 167-meter-long short bridge, and an 1,807-meter-long access road. This project includes the Tumbukan Ship Protection Package (Fender) and complementary buildings, with an APBN budget of Rp. 306 billion, provided by PT Hutama Karya (Persero), PT Adhi Karya (Persero), and PT Bangun Cipta Konstruksi (KSO).

This increase in connectivity is expected to provide great benefits in supporting the growth and development of the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN) and accelerating mobility in the region.