Construction of the 95.8 Km Lubuk Linggau-Curup-Bengkulu Toll Road Begins
The government continues to improve connectivity between the centers of economic growth on the island of Sumatra. Besides the construction and maintenance of national arterial roads, the construction of the Trans Sumatra Toll Road aims to cut logistical costs so that the competitiveness of Indonesian products increases.
The 2,952 Km Trans Sumatra Toll Road consists of the main corridor 2,062 Km and the 890 Km supporting corridor continues to be carried out and some have been completed. One of the toll roads that began to be built is the 95.8 Km Lubuk Linggau-Curup-Bengkulu which is part of the Palembang-Bengkulu supporting corridor for a total of 351.5 Km.
The signing of the Lubuk Linggau-Curup-Bengkulu Toll Road Concession Agreement (PPJT) was carried out by the Head of the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) Danang Parikesit and the Managing Director of PT. Hutama Karya Bintang Perbowo witnessed by Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono and Governor of Bengkulu Rohidin Mersyah at Balai Raya Semarak, Kota Bengkulu (3/15/2019).
The toll road consists of 3 sections namely the 17.6 km section of Taba Penanjung-Bengkulu, 23.7 km of Kepahiang-Taba Penanjung and 54.4 km of Lubuk Linggau-Kepahiang with a total investment cost of Rp 33 Trillion.
In his speech, Minister Basuki said that the construction of the Lubuk Linggau-Curup-Bengkulu Toll Road was an order from President Joko Widodo to encourage economic growth in Bengkulu Province which had been lagging behind other provinces in Sumatra.
Development aims to help regional governments develop regional economic potential. Therefore, it is expected that the land acquisition process can run smoothly so that the construction of toll roads can be immediately implemented and can operate in March 2021 for section 1 of Taba Penanjung - Bengkulu.
"The target to be completed in March 2021, I request is the longest target. This means that I hope it can be faster than March 2021," Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said after witnessing the signing of the PPJT Lubuk Linggau-Curup-Bengkulu.
The construction of the toll road will have a 7 Km tunnel through the row of hills and a long span bridge that stretches over the valley with a pillar height of 45-90 meters.
Meanwhile BPJT Head Danang Parikesit said that land acquisition is scheduled for June 2019 starting from the Taba Penanjung-Bengkulu section. The target for completion of construction of the entire toll road is December 2022.
Governor of Bengkulu Rohidin Mersyah presence of Lubuk Linggau-Curup-Bengkulu Toll Road will be integrated with the development of Baai Port. Besides that, it will develop Lubuk Linggau, which is in the middle between Palembang and Bengkulu.
Also attending accompanied Minister Basuki were Director General of Highways Sugiyartanto, Director General of Water Resources Day Suprayogi, Head of BPJT Danang Parikesit, Director of Freeway and Urban Road Hedy Rahadian, Secretary of BPJT Abram Elsajaya Barus, BPJT member Ministry of PUPR Agita Widjajanto and Head of Public Communication Bureau Endra S. Atmawidjaja