Government Targets 5,000 Suspension Bridges by Year-End to Boost Connectivity

The government is intensifying the construction of suspension bridges in various regions across Indonesia. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stated that the target is to complete 5,000 bridges by the end of this year. In a video uploaded to the official Instagram account of the Cabinet Secretariat on Thursday (25/6/2026), the secretariat shared footage showing the progress of suspension bridge construction in various parts of Indonesia. The video featured a compilation of completed bridges, including the Sekerak Kiri Bridge in Aceh Tamiang, the Pusar Bridge in Ogan Komering Ulu (OKU), South Sumatra, and the Kedungrejo Bridge in Purwodadi, Central Java. “Building bridges, connecting hopes,” the post’s caption read. Teddy explained that the construction of thousands of bridges is the result of collaboration between the government, the Indonesian Army, and the community to strengthen connectivity to remote areas. He emphasised that the bridge construction is not merely about providing physical infrastructure but also about opening access for communities that have long been isolated by geographical conditions. According to Teddy, the presence of a bridge can transform the lives of people in areas that have been separated by rivers for decades. He noted that President Prabowo is pushing for the construction of suspension bridges to realise faster, safer, and more equitable connectivity to the furthest corners of Indonesia. Teddy further explained that the bridge construction is being accelerated through synergy between the government, the Army, and local residents. These new bridges serve as a solution for regions that have been difficult to reach for years due to challenging terrain and limited transport access. He stated that the government is targeting the completion of 2,500 suspension bridges by August 2026, with the pace of construction to be increased to reach the total target of 5,000 bridges by the end of the following year. Teddy added that the benefits of the suspension bridges are being felt directly by the public. Besides facilitating mobility, the bridges also improve access to education, health services, and other public facilities. He noted that with the suspension bridges, children no longer need to cross rivers to get to school, and communities can access various public facilities more easily and safely. For the younger generation in remote areas, Teddy said, a bridge means much more than just a physical link between regions; it symbolises the arrival of better opportunities for their future.