Highways in Sumatra That Have Started Operating for the Public
Access roads in Indonesia stretch across hilly terrain. The winding contours create limitations for industrial growth in the country, especially related to logistics and trade. To facilitate more efficient transportation access, the construction of toll roads has become one of the main priorities undertaken by the government, one of which is the construction of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road.
Sumatra is one of the islands with a population of 55 million people. Toll roads in Sumatra are connectors for trading areas that play an important role in the economy of Indonesia. You may have heard of the construction of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road that will connect access from Lampung to Aceh with 24 toll road segments covering a distance of 2,704 km.
The construction of the Trans-Sumatra toll road is targeted to be fully operational by 2021. Let's take a look at the toll road segments in Sumatra that have already started operating for the public.
Bakauheni – Terbanggi Besar (140.9 km)
Since May 17, 2019, the Bakauheni – Terbanggi Besar toll road has been operational with the implementation of normal rates. This toll road is one of the longest toll roads inaugurated on March 8, 2019, by President Joko Widodo. After its inauguration, this toll road was briefly opened for free access until it finally operated with normal rates in mid-May 2019.
This toll road is divided into 9 subsections, namely Bakauheni Port – Bakauheni Interchange (8.8 km), Bakauheni Interchange – Kalianda (18.5 km), Kalianda Interchange – Sidomulyo (11.7 km), Sidomulyo Interchange – Lematang (35.4 km), Lematang Interchange - Kotabaru (4.3 km), Kotabaru Interchange – Branti (17.9 km), Branti Interchange – Metro (12.6 km), Metro Interchange – Gunung Sugih (22.5 km), and Gunung Sugih Interchange – Terbanggi Besar (8.9 km).
Terbanggi Besar – Pematang Panggang – Kayu Agung (189.4 km)
The operator of the Trans Sumatra toll road, PT Hutama Karya (Persero), began implementing toll rates starting January 6, 2020. The toll rates for this interchange are quite expensive, namely Rp170,500 for class I, Rp255,500 for classes II and III, and Rp341,000 for classes IV and V. Due to the relatively high rates, the operator hopes that drivers ensure their toll card balance is sufficient so that transportation flows smoothly.
Pekanbaru – Dumai (131.6 km)
The inauguration of this toll road took place on September 25, 2020, and normal rates began to apply on November 10, 2020. In addition to being operated for business activities, the Pekanbaru – Dumai toll road is also widely used for intercity transportation during the holiday season. Even during the pandemic, this toll road was heavily used by road users during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The toll rate for Pekanbaru – Dumai for class 1 is Rp118,500, Rp178,000 for classes 2 and 3, and Rp237,000 for classes 4 and 5. The management of this toll road is also carried out by PT Hutama Karya (Persero). Normal rates were implemented after the Functional Feasibility Test (Uji Laik Fungsi - ULF) conducted by PT Hutama Karya.
In addition, there are several other toll roads that have also been operational, namely the Kayu Agung – Jakabring (29.3 km), Medan – Kualanamu – Tebing Tinggi (62.1 km), Belawan – Medan – Tanjung Morawa (42.7 km), Palembang – Indralaya (21.5 km), Medan – Binjai (13 km), and Indrapura – Blang Bintang (13.5 km).
Now, the Trans-Sumatra toll road segments have become an effective and efficient solution for connecting transportation access in Sumatra Island. The government will also continue to build other toll road segments until 2024.
Author: Rizkita Darajat
