The Directorate General (DG) of Bina Marga estimates the existence of the Pak Kasih Tayan Bridge in Sanggau District, West Kalimantan, which can save transportation costs by Rp130 billion per year. Director General (Dirjen) of Bina Marga, Hediyanto W. Husaini said this after the inauguration of the Pak Kasih Tayan Bridge by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo on Tuesday (22/3).

Hediyanto explained, before the 1,650-meter bridge, every bus or truck that was going to cross had to spend Rp150,000 - Rp200,000 to pay for one-way ferry services. According to him, the Pak Kasih Bridge has resulted in efficiency because now the community does not need to pay to cross the Kapuas river.

"Trucks and buses take an average of Rp 12 billion per month on a ferry. If a year can save an average of up to Rp130 billion / year, "he said.

As for the maintenance of the bridge, the Director General of Highways said that the fee would reach Rp50 billion annually. Relatively large maintenance costs due to the need for special treatment such as strengthening the land at the bridge location and for street lighting maintenance. Hediyanto acknowledged that the bridge, which was built with Rp1.028 trillion in funds, had not been fully completed in terms of facilities.

"This isn't complete, but we want it to function quickly. So we can open the function for operations, "he continued.

President Joko Widodo welcomed the operation of the Pak Kasih Tayan Bridge. He said, the acceleration of bridge construction was carried out in the last eight months by working in 3 shifts every day. Acceleration is needed, because the bridge is needed by the community.

The Pak Kasih Tayan Bridge is part of the Trans Kalimantan route and is the longest bridge in Kalimantan with a total length of 1,650 meters. This bridge connects West Kalimantan Province in the north, with Central Kalimantan Province in the south.

The bridge has two main spans, the first is 430 meters long and the second span reaches 1,220 meters with a width of 11 m. The President hopes, later this bridge is expected to become a tourist attraction for the surrounding community so that it brings many functions, and has a "multiplier effect" that benefits the community. (KompuBM)