Toll Road From Balikpapan To IKN Targeted To Function On August 17, 2024

The Task Force for the Implementation of Infrastructure Development of the State Capital of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) revealed that the toll road from Balikpapan to IKN is targeted to function at the celebration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, August 17, 2024.

This was conveyed by the Head of the National Capital Infrastructure Development Implementation Task Force, Danis H. Sumadilaga.

"At this time, the PUPR Ministry is building toll roads, namely sessions 3A, 3B, and 5A, which God willing, the progress is 90 percent. We will function one lane each with three lanes and two lanes to be used towards IKN," said Danis on Saturday, July 20, 2024, as reported by Antara.

Currently, land trips to get to IKN from Balikpapan are approximately two and a half hours. Through the new toll road, land trips can be taken by one hour.

"From Balikpapan, it takes two and a half hours. Starting from the functional toll road, it takes about one to one and a half hours. So, we save an hour and a half. Hopefully, on August 17, 2024, it can be realized," said Danis.

In order to ensure the readiness and success of the Development of the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN), the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), the Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg), the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo), the Ministry of PUPR, and the Archipelago Capital Authority (OIKN) who are members of the Communication Team between Ministries / Agencies carry out joint working visits to IKN, East Kalimantan.

This visit is expected to provide a clear picture of conditions in the field. This working visit was made to several locations prepared by the Government, such as Plaza Ceremony, Presidential Office, and Intake Sungai Sepaku.

The group reviewed facilities and infrastructure related to the readiness of the location of the 79th Indonesian Independence Day ceremony at IKN.

Danis H. Sumadilaga further explained the various progresses of the latest development of IKN, such as the readiness of ceremonial fields, the Presidential Office, and water infrastructure to support the smooth celebration of the 79th Indonesian Independence Day on August 17, 2024.

"In IKN there is already a raw water source. In addition, there is another source, namely the Sepaku Semoi Dam. The technical capacity in Intake Sepaku is 3,000 liters per second. Meanwhile, the Sepaku Semoi Dam is 2,500 liters per second," said Danis.

He revealed that for the first stage, the raw water source to be used comes from the Sepaku Intake.

"This will be processed through the processing of clean water next to this intake and then channeled through a 16 km pipe to the center of government. From there it is distributed to each building that becomes clean water and will later be used in IKN," he said.

Meanwhile, the Special Staff of the Head of the Archipelago Capital Authority for Public Communication, Troy Pantouw, welcomed the visit of the communication team between government institutions.

"We are collaborating with an integrated team between institutions and the government to convey the latest and appropriate information regarding the capital city of the archipelago."

"Integrated communication and public information are pillars of socialization that are very important in providing public understanding of the existence of IKN," said Troy.