TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Relocating the capital city from Java to Kalimantan is expected to boost infrastructure projects such as toll roads and bridges. The Balikpapan- Penajam Paser Utara toll road project is considered to be an important access as it would shorten the travel time between Balikpapan and Penajam to just 10 minutes.

Waskita Toll Road (WTR) corporate secretary Alex Siwu is optimistic that the prospect of toll bridge projects will be more promising after President Joko Widodo decided to relocate the capital city from Jakarta to Sepaku District, North Penajam Paser Regency and Samboja District, Kutai Kartanegara District.

"The section becomes very strategic in connecting the capital city to Balikpapan, which has an international airport, as well as Samarinda via the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road," he told Bisnis on Monday, August 26.

Waskita Toll Road is the initiator of the Balikpapan-Penajam Toll bridge project through subsidiary, PT Tol Teluk Balikpapan. The 7.35 kilometer toll road bridge construction has a project value of Rp15.53 trillion.

The Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) has opened the pre-qualification stage for the project's auction.

"We still need conduct studies first because the process is gradual, but we are certainly more optimistic," Alex said.

The relocation of the national capital will be followed by the move of 1.5 million civil servants.

BISNIS