It’s been a long, drawn out stalemate over plans to build a much hyped up mega-toll road stretching from Kuta to the north of Bali. Authorities are speaking of some progress now, but the project seems to be dragging on, slowly as ever.
The toll road has been touted as Indonesia’s next longest toll road, stretching to cover four segments connecting different parts of Bali: Kuta-Canggu-Tanah Lot-Soka (28 kilometers), Soka-Pekutatan (25.1 kilometers), Pekutatan-Gilimanuk (54.4 kilometers), and Pekutatan-Lovina (46.7 kilometers).
The total cost for this is marked at Rp 34.3797 trillion.
Last we heard from the toll road building folks, there was a fair share of finger pointing about money issues between Perusda Bali, the regionally-owned firm working on the toll project and regional council (DPRD) members.
Now Bali Province’s Department of Public Works (PU) is speaking up to report on progress, saying priority is being given to the Tanah Lot-Kuta route, while alternatives are being explored, for splitting the Soka-Pekutatan-Buleleng part up.
“There is a toll road plan that divides the hills of Bedugul to connect Denpasar to Buleleng. The study of the plan to either go from Pekutatan or Soka is still being conducted,” PU Bali head Astawa Riadi told Tribun Bali on Sunday. For visual reference, check out the graphic of the toll plans here, as published by the local newspaper.
Riadi added that an assessment is being done by the project’s company PT Waskita Bali Mandara, which is a combination of PT Waskita Toll Road (WTR) with a stake of 75 percent and regional company Perusda Bali, which holds the remaining 25 percent.
But he explained that a feasibility study still needs to be done on splitting up the Bedugul route, so this appears to be all talk and no action so far.
A statement from PT Waskita Bali Mandara Technical Director Muhammad Sadali only confirms this.
“This is just an initial survey, meaning roughly drawing the line, then later checking the land,” he said, as quoted by Tribun.
As for the Kuta-Tanah Lot portion of the toll, Sadali says feasibility study results were sent from DPRD Bali to Public Works Jakarta and the process of the plan is still be finalized. Aka, we’re still stuck waiting for more news.
Riadi says the Kuta-Tanah Lot segment is now considered the priority and when the project is finished, we should be able to get to Kuta to Tanah Lot in just 20 minutes since the distance is only 13.5 kilometers. Now wouldn’t that be a hoot if and when it ever happens.
