WIKA Completes 18.6 Kilometre Permanent Replacement Road for Simpang Perdau–Tepian Langsat
PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk (WIKA) has completed the construction of the Permanent Replacement Road for the Simpang Perdau–Tepian Langsat section in East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan. The road, which forms part of the Rediversion of Muara Wahau Road Diversion (RE-MWRD) project, was inaugurated as infrastructure supporting improved connectivity, public mobility, and the smooth distribution of goods and services in the region.
The road construction is part of a long-term commitment by PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) to the Government and the people of East Kutai to provide a permanent replacement road that can be used sustainably. With the presence of this 18.6 kilometre road section, inter-regional accessibility is expected to improve while supporting community activities and economic centres in the Muara Wahau area.
In this project, WIKA as the contractor built an 18.6 kilometre alignment with two types of pavement: rigid pavement spanning 12.85 kilometres and Modified Cakar Ayam spanning 5.35 kilometres. The works also included the construction of the Kangaroo Bridge, 40 metres in length with a PCI Girder structure, as well as 24 box culverts as part of the road’s supporting structures.
One of the main challenges in building this road was the land condition, which is a post-mining rehabilitation area with expansive soil characteristics. These conditions required construction methods adapted to the soil characteristics so that the road structure would maintain stability and durability.
To address this challenge, WIKA applied the Modified Cakar Ayam system along 5.35 kilometres. This structure is used to help distribute traffic loads more evenly and to anticipate potential differential settlement on expansive soil. The application of this method is part of WIKA’s efforts to deliver construction solutions suited to field conditions.
During the construction process, the project involved approximately 350 workers with a total of 1.5 million working hours achieved. The implementation of occupational health and safety was an important part of the construction execution to ensure all works were carried out in accordance with established safety standards.
WIKA Corporate Secretary Ngatemin said that the completion of the Simpang Perdau–Tepian Langsat Permanent Replacement Road represents WIKA’s contribution in delivering infrastructure that provides long-term benefits for the community and supports regional growth.
“The construction of the Simpang Perdau–Tepian Langsat Permanent Replacement Road demonstrates how WIKA’s competence and experience can be applied to meet infrastructure needs with specific field characteristics. We hope this road will provide long-term benefits for the community, facilitate mobility and the distribution of goods and services, while supporting economic growth in the East Kutai region,” said Ngatemin.
As a permanent replacement road, this section is designed to provide benefits in accordance with the service life specified in the design. The presence of a road with good quality and stability is expected to improve travel comfort and reliability for the public and road users.
More than just a transport route, the construction of the Simpang Perdau–Tepian Langsat section carries the spirit of “Building Connectivity, Driving Growth”. The road is expected to strengthen inter-regional access, facilitate the distribution of goods and services, open up opportunities for regional growth, and support the economic activities of communities in East Kutai Regency.
For WIKA, the completion of the RE-MWRD project is also part of the continuity of cooperation with PT Kaltim Prima Coal in supporting quality infrastructure development needs. WIKA is committed to continuing to deliver innovative and adaptive construction solutions suited to field conditions, while providing added value for the community and Indonesia’s development.