After Two Centuries...

Dahono Fitrianto and Iwan Santosa

· 4 minutes read

Two hundred and 10 years since Governor General Herman Willem Daendels began the construction of the Jl. Raya Pos highway connecting Anyer in Banten, West Java, and Panarukan in East Java, Java finally has a new road that has the function and scale equivalent to "Daendels Road".

The trans-Java toll road connecting Merak and Pasuruan will be officially opened today. For those accustomed to the various delays of infrastructure development by the government since independence, the opening of the new toll road is like a dream as it has been quickly realized.

"I always thought it would be my grandchildren who would get to enjoy the Jakarta-Semarang toll road, but unexpectedly I can travel on it next week," said Kurnianto, 42, a resident of Semarang.

Today, President Joko Widodo will inaugurate the remaining toll road sections of the trans-Java toll road connecting Jakarta and Surabaya. The toll road sections are Pemalang-Batang, Batang-Semarang, Salatiga-Kartasura and Wilangan-Kertosono.

With the addition of the Gempol-Porong and Grati-Pasuruan segments, the new toll road effectively connects Jakarta and other main cities in Java. Without any congestion, Kompas had the opportunity to see the condition of the new toll road section that will be opened today, namely Pemalang-Batang and Batang-Semarang, while joining an inspection of the toll road along with the chief of the National Police Traffic Corps, Insp. Gen. RefdiAndri, on Monday. The total length of the new toll road section is 114 kilometers.

In general, the toll road segment is very smooth. This section is also interesting because it offers a variety of scenery along the road, especially after passing Batang. There are views of forests, plantations, beaches and iconic buildings along the way, such as the under-construction PLTU Batang power plant and the red Kalikuto Bridge in Weleri.

However, the construction of road dividers and embankments is ongoing, and road signs have yet to be installed. The number of rest areas is also still limited along the Pemalang route to Semarang. However, the journey was smooth and there was no congestion.

Besides offering convenience in driving, the new toll road will also play a pivotal role in promoting economic growth and equitable economic development.

IryantoHutagaol, the managing director of PT Perkebunan Nusantara IX, of which some of the plantation area in Central Java has been used for the toll road, is optimistic that the new toll road will promote economic growth in the area.

"I am sure that in the future economic growth here will be even higher with the opening of this toll road," said Iryanto. This statement rings true. With the new toll, the trip from Brebes to Semarang , which usually takes 4-5 hours along the northern coast road, takes no more than two hours.

Beware of risks

However, those who can\'t wait to immediately try the trans-Java toll road should be aware of a number of risks they may encounter. The first thing they should know is that, in the history of Indonesia, there has never been a toll road of such length as this new toll road.

JusriPulubuhu, founder and senior instructor of Jakarta Defensive Driving Consulting, says there is a risk in such a long, monotonous journey because almost the entire trans-Java toll road consists of straight and smooth paved road lanes. This can prove to be monotonous and can lead to drowsiness.

“Drivers should stop for a rest at least every two hours, and the length of a trip should be no more than 10 hours in a cycle of 24 hours," he said.

Jusri also reminded drivers to get enough rest before starting the trip and to ensure the vehicle is in good condition to travel a long distance at fairly high speed. Enjoy the trans-Java toll road, a new page in the life of this nation!

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