Govt invites regions to take part in toll projects

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Following the Jakarta administration's request for the authority to build six inner-city toll roads, the central government on Friday announced a new policy of inviting regional administrations to take part in toll road projects.

The director general for regional infrastructure at the Ministry of Public Works, Hendrianto Notosoegondo, said the central government would welcome proposals from regional administrations that wished to be involved in 38 national toll road projects, or that wanted to take the initiative to construct new toll roads in their regions.

"As toll roads are part of national road system, we have the authority to review and decide where a toll road can be built. Regional administrations can submit proposals if they want to build toll roads," he said.

Law No. 38/2004 on infrastructures and Governmental Decree No. 15/2005 on toll roads stipulate that the central government, through the public works ministry, has the authority to build new toll roads.

Hendrianto said the involvement of local governments in toll road projects would ease the huge financial burden on the central government.

"They can also deal better with land owners because they have more knowledge of land prices in their regions. Some administrations also have access to bank loans, so they can help finance the projects," he said.

To deal with traffic in the city, the Jakarta administration recently announced plans to build at least six inner-city toll roads, including the Kemayoran-Kampung Melayu, Rawa Buaya-Sunter- Kampung Melayu-Duri Pulo, Bekasi-Cawang-Kampung Melayu, Ulujami- Tanah Abang and Pasar Minggu-Casablanca toll roads.

The Jakarta administration said it would begin the ambitious Rp 23 trillion (US$2.5 billion) project in March next year, and expected to finish it in four years.

Hendrianto said his office had reviewed the feasibility of the plan.

"We have unofficially talked with several officials from the city administration about the project. We have found that at least the Bekasi-Cawang-Kampung Melayu toll road fits in with our national plan, he said.

Besides Jakarta, several other regions, including Riau and Jambi, have submitted proposals for new toll roads.

Hendrianto announced the government was in the middle of planning and constructing dozens of toll roads totaling 1,700 kilometers in length nationwide, to help boost economic growth.

"All of the toll roads will cost about Rp 94.63 trillion in total. Several roads are now under construction or are in the bidding process, while many others are still in the phase of feasibility studies," he said.

The planned toll roads include Depok-Antasari, Cinere-Jagorawi and Cikarang-Tanjung Priok in Greater Jakarta, Cileunyi-Sumedang- Dawuan and Ciawi-Sukabumi in West Java, Surabaya-Madura in East Java, and Semarang-Batang in Central Java.