Serang-Panimbang toll road to boost Banten's economy: Inaugurated by the President
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - Tol Serang-Panimbang akan ungkit perekonomian Banten: Diresmikan Presiden
17 November 2021
By: Novy Lumanauw and Indah Handayani
Rangkasbitung – President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is optimistic about Serang-Panimbang toll road boosting the economy of Banten Province, especially of areas around the toll road, namely Lebak Regency and Pandeglang Regency. The toll road that will go through several regencies in Banten is believed to smooth out the economic connectivity of citizens in industrial, cargo, and service sectors as it will be connected to Jakarta-Merak toll road, and it will also support access to tourism areas in Banten and its vicinity such as Tanjung Lesung National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN) and Ujung Kulon National Park.
The President, accompanied by Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, has inaugurated Serang-Panimbang toll road section 1 (Serang-Rangkasbitung) spanning 26.50 km at Rangkasbitung Toll Gate STA 26+500 on Tuesday (16/11).
“Alhamdulillah (Thanks be to God), Serang-Panimbang toll road section 1 [from] Serang [to] Rangkasbitung has finished construction and is ready to operate. Then, it will be followed by section 2, which is Rangkasbitung-Cileles spanning 24 km, then section 3 – Cileles-Panimbang – spanning 33 km that will be finished by the end of 2023,” President Jokowi stated during his welcoming speech yesterday.
During the occasion, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi, State Secretary Minister Pratikno, House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V Chairperson Lasarus, Banten Governor Wahidin Halim, and Lebak Regent Iti Octavie Jayabaya were also present. Accompanying Minister Basuki, Highways Director General Hedy Rahadian, Toll Road Regulatory Agency Danang Parikesit, PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) President Director Agung Budi Waskito, PT PP President Director Novel Arsyad, and PT Wijaya Karya Serang-panimbang President Director Mulyana also attended.
According to the President, the availability of infrastructure is the main foundation for Indonesia to compete with other countries. It is impossible for a country to surpass another country if their competitiveness index is lower. Without sufficient infrastructure, the price of goods will be higher.
“Hence, we are continuously pursuing infrastructure availability. If our infrastructure is ready, our goods production and distribution will also be better and more affordable,” the President stated.
On the other hand, PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said that the presence of toll roads connected to productive areas would lower logistics costs and improve Indonesia’s competitiveness in attracting investments.
Banten Governor, Wahidin Halim, said that Serang-Rangkasbitung toll road had extraordinary benefits besides facilitating connectivity among Jakarta, Serang, Pandeglang Regency, and Lebak Regency.
Serang-Panimbang toll road that spans 83.7 km is divided into three sections, which are section 1 (Serang-Rangkasbitung) spanning 26.50 km, section 2 (Rangkasbitung-Cileles) spanning 24.17 km, and section 3 (Cileles -Panimbang) spanning 33 km. The construction uses the public-private partnership (PPP) scheme with a total investment value of Rp8.58 trillion from PT Wijaya Karya Serang Panimbang for sections 1 and 2 and the government for section 3.
Meanwhile, the construction progress of section 2 has currently reached 13.21%. The construction of section 2 is expected to be finished simultaneously with section 3 (Cileles-Panimbang) that will commence construction at the start of 2022 and is predicted to finish in 2023.
Serang-Panimbang toll road is expected to support the economic development of central Banten and southern Banten that is near Jakarta. This toll road will provide ease and shorten travel time. For example, travel from Jakarta to Tanjung Lesung previously took around 4 to 5 hours. Later, it will only take around 2 to 3 hours with an average speed of 100 km per hour.
Serang-Panimbang toll road will have six interchanges (SS), namely Cikeusal SS, Tanjung Teja SS, Rangkasbitung SS, Cikulur SS, Cileles SS, and Bojong SS. This toll road is designed with lanes that reach 2x2x3.6 metres and a shoulder of 2x3x3.6 metres.
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