National connectivity: Realising bridges as tourism spots
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.
Bisnis Indonesia: Konektivitas nasional: Mewujudkan jembatan jadi tempat wisata
29 October 2019
By: Krizia Putri K.
In the future, in addition to roads, bridge constructions are not only a support for connectivity. Bridges will have a special function, which is to be a tourism spot.
To support national connectivity, the Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Ministry is constructing bridges, in addition to roads. Until now, the government has built bridges spanning 41.640 metres in total.
In constructing bridges, the government expected that bridges would not only serve as an access for the public to go through. The dream of the Highways Directorate General is bigger than that.
Highways Directorate General revealed that there would be several regions in Indonesia that would have special bridges, whereas there would be an area around the bridge to be utilised by the government for tourism.
“There may be a touch of art, such as lamps of various colours, so the region can add a culinary tour there, depending on the distance [it is from the bridge], similar to Kalikuto Bridge. [We] just have to think about the access, then we will synergise [to realise it],”
Kalikuto Bridge is designed especially for sturdiness, function, and aesthetics.
This bridge is an important element of Batang-Semarang toll road in Central Java that connects two regencies, namely Batang and Kendal.
Bridge Division Director at the PUPR Ministry's Highways Directorate General Iwan Zarkasi said that his agency would build an area around the special bridges that was more than tourism and culinary centres.
“It will be laid out better, with an open space, a sport facility, [it will be] a waterfront city,” he said to Bisnis on Monday (28/10).
A dream can be as high as the sky, but if it wants to be realised, help from various parties is required. Iwan said that the area can be realised if there is enough land and strong will from the Regency and City Governments.
There are several special bridges finished, namely Merah Putih Bridge in Ambon, Teluk Kendari Bridge in Manado, Soekarno Bridge, Musi Empat Bridge, Suramadu Bridge, and many other bridges.
Sugiyanto added that several long-span bridges had finished construction, one of them was Merah Putih Bridge that was the new icon for tourism in Ambon, Maluku. It stands tall, spanning above Teluk Dalam on Ambon Island.
This bridge connects Rumah Tiga Village in Sirimau District in the north to Hatige Kecil Village in Teluk Ambon District in the south.
The bridge that is inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on 4 April 2016 shortens the distance and the travel time from Ambon to Pattimura Airport and vice versa. The construction cost of Merah Putih Bridge is Rp772.9 billion.
Another bridge that is an icon and is significant in increasing connectivity between regions is Tayan Bridge spanning 1.440 metres crossing Kapuas River in Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan.
This bridge is inaugurated by President Jokowi on 22 March 2016 and connects Kalimantan southern crossing. With beautiful architecture and lights, this bridge can be a star for tourism in West Kalimantan. The construction of this bridge costs Rp740 billion.
Other bridges that have been finished is Grindulu Bridge in Pacitan, Petuk Bridge in Kupang, Soekarno Bridge in Manado, Musi IV Bridge in Palembang, and Teluk Kendari Bridge in Southeast Sulawesi.
Youtefa Bridge
The PUPR Ministry has also finished the construction of Youtefa Bridge above Youtefa Bay in Jayapura, Papua Province. This bridge was known as Holtekamp.
President Joko Widodo asserted his commitment to build infrastructures in Eastern Indonesia. Besides facilitating the movement of goods and services, a balanced infrastructure construction is meant to unite the nation.
Head of the BPJN (National Highway Construction Agency) XXVIII of Jayapura at the PUPR Ministry's Highways Directorate General Osman H. Marbun said that the next development around Holtekamp Bridge was for water tourism as it was supported by the view of the bay and the hills.
Holtekamp Bridge will also shorten the distance and the travel time to Koya as it is the venue for several sport categories in the 2020 National Games (PON) in Papua. “The plan is to make Youtefa Bay a venue for the rowing competition of 2020 PON in Papua,” he said.
With the inauguration of this bridge, travel time from Jayapura to Skouw Cross-Border Post (PLBN) will be faster, which will be 30-45 minutes from formerly 1.5-2 hours.
Besides increasing connectivity, Holtekamp Bridge will also boost the development of Jayapura to the east, which is towards Skouw.
As the centre of economic growth, a PLBN has been built in Skouw and a market will follow suit.
“We can see that now there are many shops in Skouw, we can even see that there are many [people] who travel there,” he said.
