President inaugurates road projects

JAKARTA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri opened on Sunday several new roads built to tackle congestion in Central Java.

The projects worth some Rp 286.2 billion (US$28.6 million) cover a combined length of some 29.725 meters of highway connecting four cities, comprising the provincial capital of Semarang and Weleri, Kaliwungu and Kudus

At the ceremony in Semarang, Megawati was accompanied by Minister of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure Soenarno and her husband Taufik Kiemas who has just returned from a medical check-up in Australia.

The route through the province is essential for the distribution of goods around the island. Millions of people use the road during the holiday period of Idul Fitri.

Such activities frequently create massive congestion.

The construction of the Strategic Urban Road Infrastructure Project, which was financed by loans from foreign donors, started in 1996. The projects were temporarily suspended in 1999 due to the economic crisis and restarted in 2000.

The Indonesian government is footing 20 percent of the bill.

The road projects are designed for heavy loads to cope with the massive traffic volumes. -- Antara