"The 74-kilometer Banda Aceh-Sigli toll road is the first in Aceh Province," President Widodo stated at the Blang Bintang toll gate, Aceh, on Tuesday.
The Sigli-Banda Aceh toll road section, also known as the Sibanceh section 4, is 13.5 kilometers long of the total length of 74.1 kilometers and is part of the Trans Sumatra Road.
"I would like to thank the governor and district heads. Land acquisition in Aceh Province is the fastest," the president noted.
The head of state also believes other provinces can emulate the method of land acquisition in Aceh.
"It is so fast. The construction can follow quickly. I think if the methods in Aceh can be applied in other provinces, all toll road construction can be completed," the president stated.
If the toll road is already operational, access to the airport will become easier and faster.
"If connectivity gets smoother and is linked to air transportation, what we will see in future is the faster movement of people and goods to make costs more efficient," the president explained.
Furthermore, with interconnected economic growth, the economy moves faster.
"We are optimistic that this new infrastructure would generate new economic points, give rise to new businesses, and lead to expansion of existing businesses. We are optimistic of raising the Aceh economy broadly, and, of course, the goal is to create several jobs," the president stated.
The head of state also advised Aceh Acting Governor Nova Iriansyah over connecting the toll road with the agricultural, tourism, and industrial centers.
"Thus, it will be truly beneficial to our people in Aceh, and we are upbeat about Aceh becoming the epicenter of new economic growth in Sumatra. Do not forget to involve micro, small, and medium enterprises," the president remarked.
In total, the Sigli-Banda Aceh toll road is divided into Section 1 extending along Padang Tiji to Seulimeum, spanning a distance of 24.3 kilometers; the 7.6-kilometer-long section 2 Seulimeum-Jantho; Section 3 Jantho-Indrapuri totaling 16 kilometers; Section 4 that stretches from Indrapuri to Blang Bintang for 13.5 kilometers; Section 5 Blang Bintang-Kuto Baro, with a length of 7.7 kilometers; and Section 6 Kuto Baro-Baitussalam that stretches for five kilometers.
Investment totaling Rp12.944 trillion will be required to develop the Sibanceh Toll Road. According to the official website of the Committee for the Acceleration of Priority Infrastructure or KPPIP, this funding scheme uses state-owned enterprises (BUMN) assignments.
Once operational, the Sibanceh Toll Road will be equipped with two rest areas and services (TIP) or type A rest area. The resting place is located at Jantho-Indrapuri KM 37 and Indrapuri - Blang Bintang KM 54. Related news: Aceh's toll roads should be connected to tourism centers: Jokowi
Related news: Ministry targets Padang-Sicincin toll section completion in Dec 2021
Translator: Desca L, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2020
