Bengkulu, ABIM (21/7/2023)– The President of Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo was accompanied by Minister of Public Works and Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah inaugurated the Bengkulu-Taba Penanjung Toll Road in Bengkulu City, Thursday (7/20).
The President said the total length of the 16.7 km Bengkulu-Taba Penanjung toll road which was built with a budget of IDR 4.8 trillion is part of the 95.8 km Bengkulu to Lubuk Linggau Toll Road section. The source of development costs comes from Government Equity Participation (PMN) through the Assignment Scheme.
This toll road is intended to hasten economic growth, according to President Jokowi. Additionally, it is anticipated that Bengkulu would become more competitive. President Jokowi stated, “We hope this can bring prosperity to our people because Bengkulu’s competitiveness will definitely improve.”
Section 1 Lubuk Linggau – Kepahiang (54.5 km) and Section 2 Kepahiang – Taba Penanjung (24.6 km) are now in the preparation stages, according to PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono. “It’s being prepared and we’re hoping to start construction soon,” stated Minister Basuki.
Lubuk Linggau – Curup – Bengkulu Toll Road has a total length of 95.8 km which is divided into 3 sections and 2 interchanges. The total investment cost is IDR 37.61 T. Section 3 Taba Penanjung – Bengkulu which is managed by the Toll Road Business Entity (BUJT) PT Hutama Karya (Persero) since 2019 has undergone a Function Worth Test (ULF) in April 2022, and has been operated since January 12, 2023.
The Lubuk Linggau – Curup – Bengkulu toll road will cross South Sumatra Province to Bumi Raflesia which is one of the backbones of the main section (backbone) of the Trans Sumatra Toll Road which will later connect the City of Palembang – Lubuk Linggau and Bengkulu on the West Sumatra Cross.
The presence of the Lubuk Linggau – Curup – Bengkulu toll road, which extends between forested areas and hills, is projected to foster the development of new economic hubs, include surrounding Baai Port and the area around the toll road’s on/off ramp.
Gulam, a Bengkulu resident and rental car driver, says the Bengkulu-Taba Penanjung Toll Road shortens travel time. “Normally, it takes 45 minutes to get from Bengkulu to Taba Penanjung, but now it only takes 15 minutes,” he stated.
Also present accompanying Minister Basuki, Expert Staff of the Minister of PUPR for Technology, Industry and Environment of the Ministry of PUPR Endra S. Atmawidjaja, Head of the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) of the Ministry of PUPR Miftachul Munir, Main Director of Hutama Karya Budi Harto, Director of Operations III Hutama Karya Koentjoro , Head of the Sumatra VII Bengkulu River Basin Center (BWS) Ministry of PUPR A.Adi Umar Dani, Head of the Bengkulu BPPW Dendy Kurniadi, Head of the Bengkulu National Road Implementation Center (BPJN) Aryatno Sihombing and Head of the Sumatra P2P Center IV Tambat Yulis.(ABIM)
