Bangkinang-Pangkalan Toll Road Targeted To Be Completed In April 2024, Facilitate Riau-West Sumatra Connectivity

The 61-kilometer (km) Bangkinang-Pangkalan toll road is targeted for completion in April 2024. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of PUPR)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) targets the construction of the 61-kilometer Bangkinang-Pangkalan (km) toll road to be completed in April.

Previously, the 40 km Pekanbaru-Bangkinang section was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in January 2023.

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said that currently Bangkinang-Pangkalan phase 1 is currently being completed along 24.7 km with construction progress reaching 94.42 percent to date.

"It is targeted that in April 2024, the Bangkinang-Koto Kampar section can be completed and fully operational," said Basuki in a written statement received by VOI, Friday, January 12.

With the connection of this section, it will later integrate between Pekanbaru City, Bangkinang and XIII District Koto Kampar, where there is potential for the development of tourism, industrial and plantation areas.

"This toll road is part of the corridor supporting the Trans Sumatra Toll Road (JTTS) which will connect Riau and West Sumatra Provinces," he said.

The construction of Bangkinang-Pangkalan phase 1 along 24.7 km was carried out by contractor PT Wijaya Karya-PT Hutama Karya with an investment cost of IDR 4.83 trillion.

In the future, the Pekanbaru-Dumai toll road as the main corridor of the JTTS that is already operating will be connected to its fin/feeder, namely the Pekanbaru-Bangkinang-Pangkalan to Padang toll road.

With increasingly stable connectivity, Pekanbaru-Padang corridors will continue to grow with the basis of plantation, mining and derivative industrial activities, including encouraging tourism activities in the tourism area of Muara Takus and Kelok Sembilan Temples.