The long-awaited Balang Island Bridge, connecting oil city Balikpapan with the core area of the new capital city Nusantara (IKN), is set to be inaugurated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo today.
This new infrastructure is expected to significantly enhance connectivity in the region, reducing travel time and supporting the development of the new capital.
In a significant development for the infrastructure of IKN, the Balang Island Bridge in Penajam Paser Utara regency has been completed and is ready for inauguration by President Joko Widodo.
The bridge spans 804 meters with a width of 22.4 meters and includes four lanes for vehicular traffic.
The structure is supported by a central pylon, a feature of the cable-stayed bridge design, which is crucial for bearing the load of the bridge’s structure with steel construction.
The bridge’s construction, which took place from 2015 to 2021, cost approximately Rp 1.43 trillion (US$87.8 million). It plays a key role in enhancing connectivity in the IKN area, linking with the IKN 3A Tempadung toll road and other corridors that form the backbone of the new capital’s infrastructure.
Notably, the bridge reduces the travel time to the capital’s core area by 1.5 hours, eliminating the need for a lengthy detour through Semboja.
President Jokowi, who arrived at Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport in Balikpapan dressed in a black touring jacket adorned with the “Nusantara” logo, is expected to officially open the bridge today.
This infrastructure project is a crucial step in the ongoing development of IKN, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving connectivity and accessibility in the region.
