Jokowi Approves Balikpapan Toll Road Extension to Bontang
5 December 2016 18:02 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said that the construction of the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road in East Kalimantan, will be extended to connect Samarinda and Bontang. The decision was made based on the results of a meeting with the Ministry of Public Works on Sunday evening, December 4, 2016.
Jokowi added that land acquisition process for the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road has been completed.
Jokowi said that the idea to extend the construction of the toll road came from East Kalimantan Governor Awang Farouk. The idea was later approved after a number of considerations, including providing better access for people in the region.
In addition, the President said that the toll road would help to lower logistics and transportation costs. "Price of goods would be cheaper too," Jokowi said.
The President had requested respective stakeholders to follow up the plan, allowing the establishment of consortium with private investors. "The government would like to have an accelerated growth so that the public could gain benefits," the President said.
ISTMAN M.P.
