The Ministry Of PUPR-DPR Inaugurates 3 Suspension Bridges In Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan

The PUPR Ministry together with Commission V DPR RI inaugurated three suspension bridges in Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan Province. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of PUPR)

The Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) has completed the construction of three suspension bridges to improve connectivity between villages in Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan.

The three bridges are the Sebadak Village Suspension Bridge in Ketungau Hulu District, Sumber Sari Village Suspension Bridge in Central Ketungau District, and the Ratu Damai Village Suspension Bridge in Ketungau Hilir District.

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said the construction of a suspension bridge as one of the people's infrastructures would facilitate mobility and cut travel time between villages which previously had to go far because it was separated by geographical conditions, such as slopes, hills, ravines, or rivers.

"The presence of the suspension bridge will make it easier and shorten the access of rural communities to schools, markets, workplaces, take care of administration to sub-district or sub-district offices and access to gatherings between residents," Minister Basuki said in a written statement, Tuesday, October 10.

The inauguration of the three bridges was marked by the signing of the inscription by the Chairman of Commission V DPR RI Lasarus accompanied by the Director of Road and Bridge Preservation of Region 1 of the Directorate General of Highways of the Ministry of PUPR Nyoman Suaryana, the Head of the West Kalimantan National Road Implementation Center (BPJN) Handiyana, and the Deputy Regent of Sintang Melkianus in Sebadak Village, Ketungau Hulu, Sintang Regency, on Friday, October 6.

On the same occasion, Chairman of Commission V DPR RI Lasarus expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Ministry of PUPR for establishing a good partnership in infrastructure development in West Kalimantan.

It is hoped that the presence of these three suspension bridges can facilitate connectivity between villages, thereby facilitating residents' activities to increase economic productivity, and children in Sebadak Village no longer need to use boats to go to school.

"We hope that the community will also help maintain the bridge so that the construction can last a long time," said Lasarus.

Meanwhile, Head of the West Kalimantan National Road Implementation Center (BPJN) Handiyana said the construction of the Sebadak Village Suspension Bridge, Sumber Sari Village Suspension Bridge, and Ratu Damai Village Suspension Bridge were part of the central government's assistance which is currently operational and utilized by the community.

"This bridge is specifically intended for pedestrians and two-wheeled vehicles. However, based on safety signs installed on both sides of the bridge, in a state of emergency four-wheeled vehicles such as ambulances can pass," he said.

The 84-meter (m)-long Sebadak Village Suspension Bridge is carried out by service provider PT Puga Mandiri Group with a budget of IDR 3.8 billion through the 2021 State Budget.

Then, the Sumber Sari Village Sustainable Bridge has a length of 120 m, which is done by the provider of the CV Asri Karya with a budget of Rp. 8.6 billion from the 2022-2023 State Budget.

Finally, the 84 m Ratu Damai Village Suspension Bridge was carried out by service provider PT Varia Indah Lestari with a budget of IDR 2.7 billion from the 2018 State Budget.