1,386 kilometers of new toll roads will be built

JAKARTA (JP): State-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga is undertaking a series of feasibility studies on 1,386 kilometers of new toll roads in the country, its president said.

Maryadi Darmokumoro said here Saturday that the government would put feasible toll road construction projects up for tender later this year.

"This year, the government will offer each section of the feasible toll roads to the private sector," Maryadi said.

Five hundred and thirty-one kilometers of toll roads are in operation here. Three hundred and ninety-six kilometers are operated solely by Jasa Marga and 135 kilometers are operated jointly by Jasa Marga and private firms.

Another 156 kilometers are being built and contracts to build 1,106 kilometers have been awarded to private firms, but construction has not yet started.

The government is now tendering another 186 kilometers to private investors.

Presidential Decree no. 15/1987 stipulates that private firms are allowed to take part in building, maintaining and operating tolls.

Maryadi said the government wanted to build 2,800 kilometers of toll roads during the current Second Long-term Development program which ends in 2019.

A Ministry of Public Works expert, Soekrisno, was quoted by Antara as saying that private firms wanting to participate in any toll road project had to set up a joint venture company or cooperation with Jasa Marga.

He said joint venture companies would be licensed to build, operate or maintain sections of toll road within an agreed concession. (icn)