We can obtain (better) efficiency and competitiveness by improving the speed (of transporting products).
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has said that he expects the Sayung-Demak section (Section II) of the Semarang-Demak Toll Road to accelerate logistics transport and serve as a sea wall that prevents coastal flooding.

"I really laud the construction of the Sayung-Demak Highway because it can also function as a sea wall," he said at the inauguration of the toll road section in Demak district, Central Java province, on Saturday.

Coastal floods are likely to reach farther and higher areas in the future due to climate change, thus, a sea wall structure has been built along the Sayung-Demak section to prevent seawater from inundating settlements, he explained.

Furthermore, the President instructed local governments to optimize the use of the highway to bolster tourism activities in their respective regions.

"I also want to ask all governors, district heads, and mayors to immediately integrate all the toll roads, which have been completed throughout the country, with the existing production areas in their respective regions,” he added.

In this way, infrastructure can help improve the speed of transporting local industrial, agricultural, and plantation products, Widodo said.

"We can obtain (better) efficiency and competitiveness by improving the speed (of transporting products)," he added.

The Sayung-Demak section of the Semarang-Demak Toll Road’s Section II spans 16.01 kilometers in length (km) and was built at an investment cost of Rp5.9 trillion.

There will be two interchanges along the section, namely Sayung Interchange and Demak Interchange.

After completing the Sayung-Demak section, the government will begin the construction of the Kaligawe-Sayung section (Section I) of the Semarang-Demak Toll Road later this year.

The Kaligawe-Sayung section, which will measure 10.64 km in length, is targeted to be completed by 2025.

Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Hadi Tjahjanto, State Secretary Minister Pratikno, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, and Demak district head Eisti'anah also attended the inauguration ceremony on Saturday.

Related news: Ministry carries out emergency handling after coastal flood in Pantura
Related news: Sea-level rise poses threat to Jakarta, Semarang, Demak coastal areas
Related news: PT PP bags tender to construct Semarang-Demak toll road


Translator: Indra Pribadi, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023