AMBON (Bina Marga) - After waiting for the people of Ambon city, Maluku finally on Monday afternoon (4/4) Jembatan Merah Putih (JMP) was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo amid drizzling rain. Accompanying the President was the Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono, Governor of Maluku, Said Assagaff, representing the Director General of Highways of the Ministry of PUPR was the Director of Road Development, Ahmad Ghani Gazali.

In his remarks, the President reminded that there needs to be improvement at the central, provincial, district / city level in order to be able to compete internationally. "Remember we have entered the Asean Economist Community competition," said the President.

Jokowi said he would continue to accelerate infrastructure development. In any country, if infrastructure is poor, it will not invite investment. Good in the center, area. For example there are investments that want to enter Maluku but the port is not ready, investors can discourage them. Although the speed of licensing can be only 1 hour, it must be accompanied by infrastructure acceleration.

The President stressed that he would continue to focus and prioritize infrastructure. "Both ports, toll roads, aiport, bridges are prerequisites. They are not negotiable," said the former Governor of DKI Jakarta.

In addition, the president also hopes that JMP can become a new tourism icon in Ambon city. "The beauty of Ambon city especially Ambon Bay can be enjoyed by anyone who comes here," he said.

On the same occasion, the Minister of PUPR, Basuki Hadimuljono, the inauguration of JMP has been delayed twice. One of them at the end of last year. "At first we wanted to connect in the new year but there was an earthquake. I came here at that time and the connection will be fixed with the new year but because the earthquake was postponed," said Basuki.

Responding to the impact of the earthquake on the 1140 meter long bridge, Basuki explained that a bridge has a dislocation tolerance. In the JMP case yesterday, there was a 9 cm shift, but that number is still acceptable. "The maximum limit is around 30 cm. Just like when we put up the pipe, if it is fixed if there is an earthquake it can be broken. A load test with 48 trucks has been carried out," he explained.

Now there is a long bridge and tunnel security commission that tests the viability of the bridge. "I made the certificate based on the consideration of the bridge commission," he said. If there are no serious disruptions or disasters, JMP is planned to be able to operate for up to 100 years.

JMP is built with the type of Cable-Stayed Double Pylon (form H). Each pylon is made as high as 89.5 meters. By design, JMP actually consists of three parts, namely the cable stayed bridge (main bridge) along 520 meters, the two small side bridge approaches (520 m), and the bridge approaching side of the three houses (320 meters). For motorized traffic, this bridge has 2 lanes of 4 lanes (22.5 meters). Later on the left side of each lane will be given a special lane 2 meters wide motorcycle. JMP is also designed so that shipping lines are not interrupted. At least ships with a height below 34,109 meters can still pass under the JMP.

Do not stop at JMP, the challenge of the importance of infrastructure, especially in the eastern region has been answered by the Directorate General of Highways, Ministry of Public Works and Housing as the government. On the same occasion, the Director of Road Development, Ahmad Gani Gazali said that the construction of the JMP had been eagerly awaited by the Ambonese people in relation to the development of the Poka and Galala areas. It also shortens the travel time to the airport which usually takes 1 hour to only 20 minutes.

"The construction of the JMP is also the government's commitment to develop eastern Indonesia," said Ghani. He added that Bina Marga currently scheduled the construction of several bridges in eastern Indonesia, namely the Holtekamp bridge in Papua, the Kendari Bay Bridge, the Balang Island Bridge, the Bridge in NTT, and the Tayan Bridge in Kalimantan (included in the eastern Indonesian bridge). last time.

According to Ghani, the Balang Island bridge, the Kendari Bay bridge, and the Holtekamp bridge have entered the initial construction phase. "Maybe around 3-4 years there can be something that can be finished," he said. (Ian)