Pursuit For Economic Equity, 3 Sections Of The Sigli-Banda Aceh Toll Road Speeded This Year

The Ministry of PUPR targets three sections of the Sigli-Banda Aceh Toll Road to be completed this year. Photo: Doc. Ministry of PUPR

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) through the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) together with the Toll Road Business Entity (BUJT) is finalizing the construction of the Sigli-Banda Aceh (Sibanceh) Toll Road, which is one of the main sections (backbone) of the Trans Sumatra Toll Road, to encourage economic development in Aceh Province.

Secretary of the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) Triono Junoasmono said the total investment in the construction of the Sigli-Banda Aceh toll road was IDR 12.35 trillion with the Government's assignment scheme to PT. Hutama Karya as a Toll Road Business Entity, PT. Adhi Karya as the implementing contractor, and PT. Virama Karya (Persero) as PMI's consultant.

"In addition to economic equity, this toll road will also cut the distance and travel time from Banda Aceh to Sigli from about three hours with the condition of roads winding through the hills to just an hour's journey," Triono said in his official statement, quoted on Friday, February 10.

Meanwhile, Director of the Block Free Road Budi Harimawan Semihardjo said, the Sigli-Banda Aceh Toll Road stretches for 74.2 km, consisting of 6 sections. A total of three sections have been operated, such as Section 2 Seulimeum-Jantho (6.26 km) which operates on March 8, 2022, Section 3 Jantho-Indrapuri (16.37 km) which operates on February 26, 2021, and Section 4 Indrapuri-Blang Bintang (14.60 km).

The three toll roads, which began operating on July 1, 2020, were inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on August 25, 2020.

"Meanwhile, for Section 1 Padang Tidji-Seulimum along 24.67 km, the land progress is currently 98.15 percent and construction progress is 56.86 percent with an operational target of December 2023," said Budi.

Furthermore, Section 5 of the 7.3 km Bintang-Kuto Baro long Blang with land progress has reached 99.35 percent and construction progress of 98.97 percent, with an operational target of February 2023.

Then, Section 6 Kuto Baro-Simpang Baitussalam is 5 km long with a land progress of 98.35 percent and a construction progress of 85.05 percent. The operational target is February 2023.