JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) accompanied by the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, and the Head of the Archipelago Capital Authority (IKN) Bambang Susantono reviewed the construction of the toll road to the IKN Central Government Core Area (KIPP) in East Kalimantan, on Wednesday, February 22.
President Jokowi said that later the toll road infrastructure, which will be connected to the Balikpapan-Samarinda (Balsam) Toll Road, will shorten the distance from Balikpapan to the IKN Core Area, which was previously about two hours to only 30 minutes.
"This toll road from Balikpapan to the IKN Core Area, which is approximately 50 kilometers (km) away, can be reached approximately 30 minutes from Balikpapan and has been running in the field, we can see. We hope this will be the first infrastructure built in the context of IKN development," he said in his official statement, quoted Thursday, February 23.
Jokowi is optimistic that the IKN Toll Road project which is currently running in three segments, namely the 3.4 km Karangjoang-KKT Kariangau 3A Segment, the 6.67 km KKT KKT Segment, will be completed next year.
"God willing, this toll road will be completed by the end of 2024," he said.
On this occasion, Jokowi advised that the construction of the freeway remains based on the concept set jointly in the development of IKN, namely the city of forests and smart forest city.
"So, no matter how small it is related to the environment, it must be considered. If there is something related to the environment, it is not considered, I will make sure I will reprimand it," he said.
Regarding environmental issues, PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono also always conveyed to implementing contractors and supervisory consultants, to continue to pay attention to environmental aspects in all stages of IKN development.
"IKN's work is not only technical work (civil works), but also art works. Don't cut trees carelessly, because the work time is short. Lands that are open and untouched by construction must be replanted immediately," he said.
Meanwhile, the Director General of Highways of the Ministry of PUPR Hedy Rahadian said, for the continuation, section 1, section 5B and section 6, a job auction will be conducted this year.
"We hope that it will be completed in 2024, section 2 is part of the Balsam Toll Road. Section 4 is prepared to build an underwater tunnel (immersed tunnel) to protect the environment. The tunnel will be made precast outside and only installation is left, so the construction time at its location will be minimal. In section 4 there are also two trajectories for animals, so there is a kind of short tunnel," he added.
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