Progress Of Almost 80 Percent, Waskita Karya Speeds Up Construction Of The Probolinggo-Banyuwangi Toll Road

JAKARTA - PT Waskita Karya (Persero) Tbk continues to accelerate the construction of the Probolinggo-Banyuwangi Toll Road Package 3 along 5.8 kilometers (km) in East Java. Currently, the realization of the construction of this project is almost 80 percent.

Waskita Karya Corporate Secretary Ermy Puspa Yunita said the project, which is located in Probolinggo and Situbondo Regencies, will also support the increase in the tourism sector, especially the Probowangi Toll Road Package 3.

Ermy said one of its functions was to facilitate access to Ijen Crater, Pulau Merah Beach, Baluran, and Alas Purwo National Park.

"The Probowangi Toll Package 3 also makes it easier to travel to 10 national priority tourist destinations, namely Bromo Tengger Semeru. This road is also an important connecting route from Merak to Banyuwangi, as well as connecting various big cities such as Surabaya and Malang to Banyuwangi," he said in an official statement, Wednesday, August 27.

Furthermore, Ermy emphasized, Waskita Karya continues to be committed to working on various projects that have multiplier effects such as this toll road. Even in the construction of the project worth Rp996.82 billion, the Company also absorbed up to 44.34 percent of local workers.

"We are sure that the Probolinggo-Banyuwangi Toll Road will not only function to increase accessibility, but also encourage the business development of local communities. That way, in the end, it can attract new investments," explained Ermy.

Please note, the construction of the Probowangi Toll Road starting from Gending to Besuki is divided into three packages. Consisting of package 1 Gending-Kraksaan, package 2 Kraksaan-Paiton, and package 3 Paiton-Besuki.

Meanwhile, in the last 10 years, Waskita Karya has completed the construction of 23 toll roads covering the Trans-Java and Trans-Sumatra Toll Roads.

Overall, the Company's contribution reaches 1,000 km more than 2,000 km of toll roads in Indonesia.

Sebelumnya, Menteri Pekerjaan Umum (PU) Dody Hanggodo mengatakan konstruksi Tol Probolinggo-Banyuwangi (Probowangi) akan rampung pada akhir 2025.

Dia menjelaskan, percepatan penyelesaian tersebut merupakan bagian dari upaya pemerintah dalam meningkatkan konektivitas yang merata hingga wilayah timur Pulau Jawa.

“Diharapkan dapat memangkas waktu tempuh antarwilayah pada sektor logistik, sehingga diharapkan dapat mendorong pertumbuhan pusat-pusat ekonomi baru,” ujarnya.

Dody menuturkan, keberadaan Tol Probowangi akan mempersingkat waktu tempuh dari arah Probolinggo menuju Besuki, yang awalnya sekitar satu jam 15 menit, menjadi 30 menit dengan kecepatan rata-rata 80 hingga 100 km per jam.

Previously, the Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo said the construction of the Probolinggo-Banyuwangi (Probowangi) Toll Road would be completed by the end of 2025.

He explained that the acceleration of the settlement was part of the government's efforts to increase connectivity evenly to the eastern region of Java Island.

"It is hoped that it can cut travel time between regions in the logistics sector, so that it is expected to encourage the growth of new economic centers," he said.

Dody said the existence of the Probowangi Toll Road would shorten the travel time from the direction of Probolinggo to Besuki, which was originally about an hour and 15 minutes, to 30 minutes with an average speed of 80 to 100 km per hour.