IKN Toll Road Ready for Indonesia's 79th Independence Day Ceremony, Says PUPR Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono ensured basic infrastructure in Nusantara Capital City, or IKN is ready to support the 79th  anniversary of Indonesia's Independence, including the toll road. "The toll road will be operated in August,” said the Acting Head of IKN Authority in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday, June 17, 2024.

The IKN toll road will be connected to the Balikpapan-Samarinda (Balsam) toll road, precisely at KM 8 Karingau. This way, accessing IKN will be easier and take a shorter time. 

According to a press release from the PUPR Ministry, the ongoing construction of the IKN Toll Road consists of three sections. First, the 13.4-kilometer road at the 3A Karang Joang 0 KKT Kariangau, the 3B KKT Kariangau-Simpang Tempadung which stretches over 7.3 kilometers, and the 6.7-kilometer long 5A Simpang Tempadung-Balang Island Bridge toll section.

On the other hand, the ]chair of the IKN Infrastructure Development Task Force, Danis Sumadilaga, said the PUPR Ministry couldn’t work optimally on sections 6A and 6B at the time, due to land problems. 

However, in line with Basuki, Danis ensured the toll road would be operable in August for sections 3A, 3B, 5A, and the Balang Bridge, in time for the commemoration of Indonesian Independence. "One way and three lines can be used to get (to IKN)."

While the toll roads sections 6A and 6B are inoperable for the time being, Danis explained guests can access the new capital city through other alternative roads. 

"Go via the Semboja Toll Road for a 2.5-hour journey. If we use the Toll Road from Balikpapan, it could take 1 to 1.5 hours," said Danis.

President Joko Widodo previously stated that the ceremony for the 79th anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day will be held both in IKN and Jakarta in a hybrid manner to show the transition period between the new capital and the old.

Jokowi said the August 17 ceremony could be fully held at IKN in 2025 after the capital transfer is regulated under a presidential decree. "This includes matters related to mobilization, transportation, and accommodation, which are not easy."

RIRI RAHAYU

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