TEMPO.CO, Samboja - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo targeted all sections of Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road to be connected by April 2020.

“I ask president director of Jasa Marga that this will be completed in no later than April 2020, inshallah,” said the President when inaugurating the toll road section Samboja-Samarinda in East Kalimantan, Tuesday, December 17.

He said the Samboja-Samarinda section is among the three sections (2,3, and 4) that had been inaugurated. It spans about 58.7 kilometers out of the total 99.3 kilometers.

According to Widodo, the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll is the first toll road in Kalimantan Island, so he hoped the construction project will improve the mobility of people and logistics.

The one-way travel time from Balikpapan to Samarinda, the President added, usually takes approximately 3 hours, while by using the toll road, it will be reduced to one hour and fifteen minutes.

Additionally, the toll road will smooth the effectivity of the two growth centers in East Kalimantan as it creates complementary connectivity. It is also expected to boost productive sectors, such as the palm oil industry, coal, oil, gas, and agricultural commodities.

The most vital thing, Jokowi went on, Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road will expedite the access to the new capital city. "I demand that in 2020, roads to the new capital area to be set and connected to the toll road," he said.

FRISKI RIANA