They are endeavoring to expedite the construction of several toll roads in various regions, including the Semarang-Demak Toll Road, in order to improve inter-regional connectivity and improve the community's economy.
Expert Staff for Technology, Industry, and Environment of the ministry, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, stated that the Semarang-Demak Toll Road is a national strategic project (PSN) planned as a complementary section of the Java North Coast National Road connecting Semarang-Demak-Gresik-Surabaya.
"Considering its vital role as a logistics route in North Java, the community has been waiting for the completion of the Semarang-Deak Toll Road," Atmawidjaja, who is concurrently the ministry's spokesperson, said in Jakarta, Saturday.
"The existence of the Semarang-Demak Toll Road will increase road capacity while reducing the traffic load on Java North Coast Road, which is already very congested and often experiences traffic jams," he explained.
Acting as a BUJT is PT. PP Semarang Demak (PPSD) that applies the Supported, Build, Operate and Transfer (SBO-T) scheme.
The toll road comprises the 16.31-km Sayung-Demak section with the BUJT investment, which is on land and has been operating since February 25, 2023.
"Meanwhile, the government's portion of the Semarang-Sayung section is 10.64 km long, which is above the sea and is divided into three packages that are currently in the construction stage, with overall physical progress reaching 9.25 percent," Atmawidjaja elaborated.
He also stated that the target for completion of the entire construction package is in February 2027.
For the government's section, the contractors implementing the Package 1A are Hutama Karya (HK) and Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG).
Package 1B is being implemented by Housing Development (PP) Wijaya Karya (WIKA) and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and Package 1C by Adhi Karya and Sinohydro.
Some of the funds for construction of the project came from foreign loans.
The existence of the Semarang-Demak Toll Road is expected to further complement the road network connectivity in the northern part of Central Java.
It is also hoped to connect strategic areas, such as ports, airports, industrial areas, and religious tourism areas, especially in Demak area.
In addition, the construction of a toll road that is integrated with the sea wall is expected to address the problem of tidal flooding in East Semarang, especially Kaligawe-Sayung, which causes significant economic losses, by the end of 2024.
This is especially targeted with the construction of up to seven layers of embankment and the operation of pump houses at the Terboyo and Sriwulan retention ponds.
Related news: Construction of Semarang-Demak toll road 80.63% complete
Related news: IKN toll road: Minister aiming to complete Phase 1 by July
Translator: Aji Cakti, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
