BENGKULU (Bina Marga) - In addition to the construction of the Trans Sumatra Toll on the east coast of Sumatra Island, now Bengkulu Province in West Sumatra will also have a toll road to Lubuk Linggau, South Sumatra.

The certainty of the toll road construction was marked by the signing of the 95 km Lubuk Linggau-Curup-Bengkulu Toll Road Concession Agreement (PPJT). The signing was carried out by the Head of the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) Danang Parikesit and the President Director of PT Hutama Karya, Bintang Perbowo witnessed by the Minister of PUPR Basuki Hadimuljono and the Governor of Bengkulu, at the Semarak Hall, Bengkulu, Friday "at (3/15) Night

"This toll road will be the first toll road in Bengkulu and is divided into three sections, namely Lubuk Linggau - Kepahiang (54.5 km), Kepahiang - Taba Penanjung (22 km), and Taba Penanjung - Bengkulu (19.3 km). "This toll road will have 2 Interchanges (SS), namely SS Taba Penanjung and SS Kepahiang," explained Danang.

This toll costs Rp. 33.12 trillion, sourced from the State Capital Inclusion (PMN) and bank loans, because the LHR (average daily traffic) is still small. "The portion of PMN seems to be able to reach 60% and the remaining 40% is bank loans," said Managing Director Hutama Karya.

This toll road construction will be submitted to PT. Hutama Karya in accordance with Presidential Regulation Number 117 Year 2015 concerning Amendments to Presidential Regulation Number 100 Year 2014 concerning Acceleration of Toll Road Development in Sumatra. The Presidential Regulation assigned PT. Hutama Karya (Persero) built 24 Toll Roads, one of which was the Lubuk Linggau - Curup - Bengkulu Toll Road.

Although financially unattractive, the Lubuk Linggau - Curup - Bengkulu Toll Road is a Trans-Sumatra priority section designated as a National Strategic Project (PSN). The government hopes this toll road can increase economic potential, distribution, strengthen connectivity and support Bengkulu economic development.

Before the physical toll road is built, land acquisition will begin in June starting from the Taba Penanjung - Bengkulu section. The overall construction of the Lubuk Linggau - Curup - Bengkulu toll road is targeted for completion in March 2021.

Even the Minister of Public Works and Housing considers the target is the slowest time not the fastest. "There are a number of examples, the Bakauheni toll road is large, 140 km. We have completed it in less than 4 years. With good cooperation with local governments and other institutions. Every two weeks we monitor the focus on land acquisition so that it is very fast," said Basuki .

In addition to being assigned to work on the Lubuk Linggau-Curup-Bengkulu Toll Road, PT. Utama Karya is also tasked with constructing the 88 km Indralaya-Muara Enim Toll Road and Muara Enim-Lubuk Linggau along the 125 km. These three toll roads will connect Bengkulu with the Palembang-Indralaya Toll (Trans Sumatra Highway).

Also accompanying the Minister of Public Works and Housing, Director General of Highways, Sugiyartanto and Urban and Freeway Director, Hedy Rahadian. (Ian)