IKN access toll road to operate on a functional basis in August 2024
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - Tol akses IKN beroperasi fungsional Agustus 2024
8 July 2024
By Heru Febrianto
Jakarta, ID – The Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Ministry stated that the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) access toll road was set to operate on a functional basis in August 2024 to support the 79th Independence Day ceremony.
IKN Infrastructure Development Implementation Task Force Head Danis Hidayat Sumadilaga explained that the IKN access toll road would facilitate the celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day in Nusantara, East Kalimantan.
“It can function to facilitate the Independence Day on 17 August,” Danis Hidayat said as quoted by Antara on Sunday (7/7/2024).
Danis further mentioned that the construction of the IKN access toll road was nearing completion, with about 90% of the work already done, including the paving process.
“We are currently focusing on segments 3A, 3B, and 5A of the IKN toll road. The construction is almost complete with the paving process already carried out,” he explained.
The IKN access toll road is set to significantly reduce travel time. It will enable a journey from Balikpapan City to the Central Government Core Area (KIPP) in IKN, which currently takes 2 hours and 15 minutes via the 95-kilometre Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road, to be completed in just 45 minutes over a distance of 57 kilometres (km).
The toll road network connects Balikpapan City to KIPP in North Penajam Paser through the IKN toll road and Pulau Balang Bridge. The PUPR Ministry is targeting the first phase of the toll road to IKN in East Kalimantan to be completed in July.
For the first phase, the construction of the IKN toll road is currently on progress at three sections, namely section 3A (Karangjonag-KKT Kariangau) spanning 13.4 km, section 3B (KKT Kariangau-Tempadung Interchange) spanning 7.3 km, and section 5A (Tempadung Interchange-Pulau Balang Bridge) spanning 6.7 km. These sections are set to be completed in July 2024.
In the next phase, the focus will be on section 5B, which extends from Pulau Balang Bridge to the VVIP airport covering a distance of 13.27 km. Additionally, work has begun on land procurement and construction for section 6A (Riko-IKN Outer Ring Road) and section 6B (IKN Outer Ring Road-ITCI Interchange 3).
Section 6A spans 6.22 km from the VVIP airport to the planned IKN Outer Ring Road, while section 6B extends 6.18 km from IKN Outer Ring Road to ITCI Interchange 3, Sections 4A and 4B are currently being studied, which will further enhance access to IKN.
Shorten travel time
Meanwhile, Highways Director General of the PUPR Ministry Arief Dienaputra said that the construction of the IKN access toll road was divided into three sections, namely the Karangjoang-KKT Kariangau section that is 80.2% complete, the KKT Kariangau-Tempadung Interchange section that is 88.8% complete, and the Tempadung Interchange-Pulau Balang Bridge section that is 86.8% complete.
According to him, the IKN access toll road, spanning 27 km, will connect to the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road at KM 8 (Kariangau). This connection between the two toll roads means that users do not have to travel the entire length of the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road up to KM 33. Instead, they can head directly to Sepaku and enter Nusantara.
“The estimated travel time to Nusantara is about 71 minutes. This toll road access will play a crucial role in facilitating the ceremony scheduled for 17 August 2024,” Arief said during the work visit of House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V to Nusantara in East Kalimantan on Tuesday (2/7).
To enhance connectivity to Nusantara, the PUPR Ministry has also initiated the construction of a duplicate of the Pulau Balang Bridge. This new structure, a short-span bridge, is located approximately 500 metres from the existing long-span bridge. Construction began in January 2024. The new bridge, which spans 512 metres, is currently 83.4% complete. It is being built alongside the existing bridge.
The duplicate short-span Pulau Balang Bridge, which is currently under construction, features four pillars at sea and four pillars on land. This project is funded by the 2023-2024 state budget (APBN), with an allocation of Rp498 billion. Once completed, this duplicate bridge will complement the existing short-span Pulau Balang Bridge and connect to the already completed long-span Pulau Balang Bridge.
Numerous enhancements required
During the work visit, DPR Commission V Deputy Chair highlighted the development of the new capital city in Kalimantan. He reckons that, despite the progress made so far, the development process of IKN is likely to be a long-term endeavour requiring numerous enhancements.
“We are dedicating our visit today to observe the development progress of the new capital city. We see that progress has been made. However, it will still take a long time and require numerous enhancements,” Iqbal said.
He emphasised that IKN development must be continued due to the state budget allocation that has been prepared for the project. He hopes the construction can continue even though it will be a long-term commitment.
“We remain hopeful that the development of IKN will persist, given that the state budget allocated for the new capital city has already been utilised. Despite the long-term nature of this project, we anticipate that the development of IKN will continue unabated. While the construction of a city might take merely 1, 3, or 4 years, the development of a capital city is a more extensive process, typically requiring a span of 10 to 15 years,” the PPP fraction politician explained.
During his visit, Iqbal also discussed the construction of the IKN access toll road that is meant to facilitate access to the new capital city. However, he admits that there are still many tasks that must be completed to prepare the infrastructure.
“The toll road providing access to IKN is currently under construction, with the aim of facilitating quicker access to the capital city. However, it is important to note that additional construction is still needed. We urge everyone to remain patient as we continue to develop IKN. While we have successfully built the city itself, establishing road access is a costly endeavour. Despite the considerable progress made so far, there is not yet any access to IKN. Therefore, further enhancements to the toll road are necessary,” he stated.
Iqbal affirmed that IKN development has been outlined numerous laws, so the capital city relocation has become an obligation. “IKN has been outlined in several laws. This means we have to relocate the capital city. The development progress must continue. This is my hope for the future,” Iqbal added.
