Bali on the Road to Smoother Traffic

Details Emerging on the New Nusa Dua-Benoa-Ngurah Rai Toll Way in Bali.

(5/12/2012)

 

 

Radar Bali reports that officials are convinced that the Nusa Dua-Benoa-Ngurah Rai (NBD) toll road will reduce traffic congestion in Bali by reducing the current traveling time from Sanur to Nusa Dua from one-hour to just 6 minutes.

The President Director of PT Jasamarga Bali Toll (JBT), Akmad Tito Karim, accompanied by his Public Relations Director, Hari Suseno, explained that current plans are to have six differing categories of toll fees in operation on the new road with the cost of a four-wheeled private vehicle set at  Rp. 10,000 (US$1.09). 

The new Bali toll road will also have a special lane for motorcycles, but what the tariff will be for two-wheeled motorcycles remains unclear at this point.

Tito said that the eventual final tariff to be charged will be discussed with the general people to ensure they will be able to afford the final price.

PT JBT holds a concession to operate the new toll road for 45 year. After that period, the ownership of the highway will revert to the central government.

The operators are targeting that 28,000 vehicles will use the NDB toll way every day comprised of 50% four-wheeled vehicles and the remainder made up of motorcycles, tourist buses and other vehicles.

According with the agreement with the central government, the toll tariff can be raise once every two years by approximately 4%, depending on the rate of inflation.

“Based on these assumptions, it is estimated that within 15 years the capital investment can be recouped. The more that is earned, the faster we can replenish the capital. We have to repay our loan,” explained Tito at the project office in their Ikat Plaza Complex Offices in Denpasar.

Of the total Rp. 2.4 trillion (US$261 million) invested in the toll road, Rp. 1.5 trillion (US$163 million) will be used for the actual construction of the toll road.

Rp. 1.7 trillion of the total amount has been obtained via bank borrowings. The remaining amount has been paid in by 7 State-owned enterprises. The regional government of Badung and the province of Bali have also each taken shareholdings worth Rp. 100 billion (US$10.9 million).

The new toll road will include wind speed detectors. When wind speed pass certain set limits, motorcycles will be prohibited from entering the roadway for reasons of vehicular safety.

The toll road is also being constructed at a height above the mangrove sufficient to allow traditional fishing boats to pass freely under the roadway.

Other Projects Underway in Bali

Simultaneous with the construction of the new NBD toll road, Bali is also constructing a new underpass at the Simpang Siur intersection at an estimated cost of Rp. 230 billion (US$25 million) and upgrading the Ngurah Rai International Airport at Rp. 1.9 trillion (US$206.5 million).

The new toll way will require the sacrifice of 2.3 hectares of protected mangrove forests and require the appropriation of some 4.61 hectares of privately held land in order for the project’s completion.

Source: BaliDiscovery.com