Revised Presidential Decree, Aceh-North Sumatra Toll Road Construction Enters Third Phase

The construction of a toll road from Aceh to North Sumatra will have a double effect on economic activity.

ZULKARNAINI

The Sigi-Banda Aceh toll road section 3 connecting Indrapuri District to Kota Jantho District, Aceh Besar Regency, is now functional. The photo was taken on Wednesday (10/3/2021).

BANDA ACEH, KOMPAS - President Joko Widodo has issued Presidential Regulation Number 42 of 2024 concerning the Third Amendment to Presidential Regulation Number 100 of 2014 regarding the Acceleration of Toll Road Development in Sumatra.

The presidential regulation stated that the construction of a toll road connecting Aceh Province and North Sumatra is included in the third stage of toll road development. This change in the presidential regulation provides new hope for infrastructure development in the westernmost province of Indonesia.

Executive Vice President Corporate Secretary PT Hutama Karya (Persero) Adjib Al Hakim, Friday (19/4/2024), said that a number of sections of the Aceh Toll Road-North Sumatra are included in the third phase development plan . However, it was not stated when construction would start.

"Details of continued construction await agreement with the government," said Adjib.

Also read: Toll Roads Boost Aceh's Economy

Although the schedule for the third stage of development has not been determined, the revision of the presidential regulation was welcomed by the Aceh Provincial Government. This is because the regulation provides clarity on the discourse of connecting Aceh with North Sumatra through a toll road.

The presidential regulation states that the third phase toll road development includes Dumai-Sp Sigambal-Rantau Prapat; Rantau Prapat-Kisaran (North Sumatra); Langsa-Lhokseumawe; and Lhokseumawe-Sigli (Aceh).

The plan to build the Sumatra toll road from Aceh to Lampung was initially set by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. This plan is stipulated in Presidential Decree Number 100 of 2014 concerning the Acceleration of Toll Road Development in Sumatra. However, the presidential decree does not mention the stages of development.

The construction of a toll road in Aceh only began in 2018. President Joko Widodo has designated the construction of the Aceh-Sumatra Toll Road as a national strategic project. The development is being carried out gradually.

In August 2020, President Joko Widodo inaugurated the operation of the fourth section of the Aceh Toll Road, which spans 13.5 kilometers and connects Blang Bintang with Indrapuri. The inauguration of the first toll road in "Mecca's Veranda" was warmly welcomed by the Aceh Provincial Government and its residents.

However, after six years, the realization of the construction of the Aceh Toll Road has not gone as expected. The 74 kilometer Sibanceh Toll Road (Sigli - Banda Aceh) has not yet been completed. Development is divided into six sections. The issue of land acquisition is one of the obstacles.

Also read: Toll Road Opens Aceh Road to Become New Economic Epicenter in Sumatra

KOMPAS/NIKSON SINAGA

The Tebing Tinggi-Indrapura-Lima Puluh Toll Road, spanning 43.6 kilometers in North Sumatra, was officially inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on Wednesday (7/2/2024). This toll road is part of the Trans-Sumatra plan, from Lampung to Aceh.

As a result, in February 2024, the government excluded the Aceh toll road from the national strategic project. The exclusion of the Aceh toll road from the national strategic project was met with negative responses from residents in Aceh who are worried that the dream of connecting Aceh and North Sumatra via a toll road is now nothing but a hope.

Adjib explains that although the Aceh Toll Road has been removed from the national strategic project, construction is still ongoing. Currently, the construction of the Banda Aceh-Sigli Toll Road is only left with Section I, which is Seulimum-Padang Tiji, Sigli.

"The decision regarding the review of several national strategic projects will not affect the development of existing toll roads. Hutama Karya is committed to following the government's priority directives and focusing on accelerating the completion of JTTS phase I and II," said Adjib.

Adjib explained that one section of the Binjai-Langsa road, namely the Pangkalan Brandan-Langsa section, is currently in its second phase. According to the presidential regulation, the second phase will commence in December 2024.

Where there is human movement, the economy will grow by itself.

The construction of the Banda Aceh-Sigli toll road is now only left with one section, namely Seulimum-Padang Tiji in Sigli. The other five sections have already been operational. The Aceh Provincial Government hopes that the Sibanceh toll road can be used by September 2024 during the National Sports Week (Pekan Olahraga Nasional/PON).

"Section I is still in the process of completion. Until March 2024, the construction progress has reached 83.60 percent and the progress of land procurement for the initial location determination is at 98.47 percent," said Abjib.

KOMPAS/ZULKARNAINI

Construction of the 74 kilometer Banda Aceh-Sigli section of the Trans-Sumatra toll road, Thursday (14/3/2019).

Acting Governor of Aceh Bustami Hamzah said that the continuation of toll road construction to the North Sumatra border gave positive hope for Aceh.

"The government and the people of Aceh are certainly very grateful for the President's policy in issuing Presidential Regulation number 100, as the continuity of toll road development in Aceh will certainly improve the connectivity of toll roads in Sumatra," said Bustami.

Bustami believes that the sustainability of toll road development in Aceh will drive the development of the region in various sectors, such as the economy, trade, industry, and tourism.

Previously, an economics lecturer at Syiah Kuala University in Banda Aceh, Amri, stated that toll roads make the movement of goods and passengers between provinces smoother. Improved connectivity promotes the growth of new economic markets, especially in the areas where toll gates are located.

"Where there is human movement, the economy will grow by itself," said Amri.

Also read: Sumatra Toll Road Provides Certainty