Apart from pressing a button to mark the official opening of the toll road, the president was the first person to pay the toll fare using the e-toll card.
The construction of the 12.7-km toll road linking Benoa-Ngurah Rai-Nusa Dua on the island resort of Bali uses environmentally friendly methods to reduce environmental damage of the waters around Benoa Bay.
The construction of the road was undertaken by a project consortium comprising a number of state-owned companies: PT Jasa Marga Bali, PT Pelindo III, PT Angkasa Pura I, PT Pengembangan Pariwisata Bali, PT Wijaya Karya, PT Adhi Karya, and PT Hutama Karya.
The Bali toll road and the Simpang Siur underpass are expected to reduce heavy traffic congestion in the Indonesian island resort of Bali.
President Yudhoyono arrived in Denpasar earlier on Monday from Palembang, South Sumatra, after his working visit to open the Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) at Jaka Baring Sport Stadium.
Ministers accompanying the head of state during the opening ceremony of the Bali toll road were Public Works Minister Joko Kirmanto, State Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan, Coordinating Minister for Political, Law and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, and Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika.
(O001/INE/H-YH)
EDITED BY INE
(KR-BSR/B/H-YH)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
