According to US Embassy press release issued on Friday, the 150-km roadway, which cost US$280 million and was built through US and Indonesian cooperation, connects 74 villages to Banda Aceh, and makes travel faster, safer, and more affordable for people and businesses in Sumatra.
The Banda Aceh highway project was part of a US$430 million development assistance package for relief and recovery to assist devastated communities in Aceh after the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami, which resulted in the loss of 175,000 lives, left half a million people homeless and destroyed businesses.
The original roadway was destroyed by the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami, and disrupted travel and trade throughout the region.
As a major building block to redevelop the North Sumatran economy and improve quality of life, the United States, through USAID, partnered with the Indonesian government to rebuild and expand the west coast transportation corridor.
By connecting more than 70 villages with Banda Aceh, the new road will facilitate government and business travel and stimulate economic activity.
"The completion of this project has served as a catalyst for reinvestment and regional development," Ambassador Marciel said.
"Our partnership with the Government of Indonesia and the province of Aceh offers people here a fresh start toward a peaceful and prosperous future," Marciel said.
Now, farmers bringing produce from Calang have quicker access to larger Acehnese markets, and Lhoukseudu fishermen, who lost over 100 boats due to the tsunami, have a new route to revive lost trade along the coastline.
The United States, in partnership with the Indonesian government and the people of Aceh, will continue to support social and economic development in the region, including projects to improve maternal and child health, develop alternative energy resources, provide financing for entrepreneurs, and broaden opportunities for quality education.
(O001)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
