IKN Task Force: National Roads And Toll Roads Ready To Be Used Ahead Of The 17 August Ceremony

IKN (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) ensures that main road access to the capital city of Nusantara (IKN) is ready to be used. Later, the required travel time is only 1-1.5 hours from Sepinggan Airport, Balikpapan to IKN.

Chairman of the Task Force (Satgas) for the Implementation of State Capital Infrastructure Development, Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Danis Sumadilaga, revealed that his party had identified accessibility starting from Sepinggan Airport to the IKN West National Aquaculture Roundabout.

Improvements to various national roads are being carried out. One of them is in the Kariangau area which is currently being paved and is targeted for completion on Sunday, July 28.

"National road preparations have started, we are widening, cleaning and asphalt with the target of completion on Sunday. God willing, connectivity from Balikpapan Airport to IKN, this alternative is already (ready to be used)," said Danis when met at the PUPR Ministry office, Friday, July 26.

Danis explained that a number of toll roads were opened functionally for the August 17 Ceremony at IKN. From Section 3A Karangjoang-KKT Kariangau (13.4 km) Toll Road, Section 3B KKT Kariangau-Cradung Intersection (7.3 km) to Section 5A Toll Road, Simpang Tempadung-Jembatan Pulau Balang (6.67 km). He said, the average completion of the project has now reached 90 percent.

"This may have been (data) four days ago. The point (toll access) is ready, yes," he said.

He added that these various accesses could be used by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). In the near future, Jokowi plans to check the project.

"The plan is that Pak Jokowi will check Monday," said Danis.

With the completion of various toll accesses and national roads to IKN, Danis said, it only took 1-1.5 hours from Sepinggan Airport to arrive at IKN.

"(The alternative) is already done. God willing, it will take about 1.5 hours, if it takes a long time, right, it will take almost 2.5 hours," he concluded.