Public Works Minister Speaks on Fate of Bali's Longest Toll Road, Some Sections to be Cut

The Minister of Public Works (PU), Dody Hanggodo, has provided an update regarding the progress of the Gilimanuk-Mengwi toll road project in Bali. Dody stated that the project plan is proceeding and is currently in the design review stage, with the final design expected to be completed this year.

“It is still in progress, currently in the design review stage. We hope the final design will be finished this year, and we expect the tender process to begin next year,” Dody told reporters at the DPR RI building on Tuesday (2/6/2026).

However, Dody explained that the toll road will not be constructed as originally planned, spanning from Gilimanuk Port to Mengwi. Instead, the project will be split into two components: the use of national roads that will be revitalised and expanded, alongside new toll road sections.

“It will not be a full toll road; it will be cut. Part will be national roads and part will be toll roads. I do not know the exact kilometres for each, as those details are typically held by the Directorate General of Infrastructure Financing,” Dobby continued.

He further explained that the reason the Gilimanuk-Mengwi route will not be entirely a toll road is due to limited investor interest, with interest being highest for specific sections of the tollway.

According to data from the Ministry of Public Works, Section I of the Gilimanuk-Mengwi toll road will not proceed as a toll road due to the lack of investors. Consequently, the toll road project will only consist of Section II (Pekutatan-Soka) spanning 24.3 km and Section III (Soka-Mengwi) spanning 18.9 km. Meanwhile, Section I (Gilimanuk-Pekutatan), which covers 53.6 km, is planned to utilise existing national roads that will undergo revitalisation.

Under the previous plan, the Gilimanuk-Mengwi toll road was scheduled for construction between 2028 and 2029, with an expected operational date in 2031.