This will now give a big boost to North Bali, the often-overshadowed part of the island. The new toll road will enhance the infrastructure in the area and would help improve the much-needed spread of economic development to other areas. Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno said this in direct action to that effect, stating that the government is targeting a new toll road in North Bali.
Sandiaga had shared his exciting news regarding this initiative while visiting to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy office. “We indeed have plans for a toll road heading north,” he confirmed on Monday, August 19, 2024. The plan would be aimed at integrating North Bali into the island’s tourism network, which is usually centered in the south.
According to plans, construction of the toll road is due to be completed by the end of 2029, in which the main focus will be to spread tourism more to areas on the inner island. “We hope this project can be completed by late 2029,” Sandiaga said, adding that this development would become the balance for growth in Bali tourism.
Yet, its way up to this mega project was not easy. The Gilimanuk-Mengwi toll road is currently being re-tendered by the government to attract new investors and operators. This took place after the initial tender process could not secure sufficient funding. In fact, the innovative funding structure is required to move on the 96.84-kilometer toll road, which will stretch across three districts, 13 sub-districts, and 58 villages.
“I believe that with the right investors, the Mengwi-Gilimanuk toll road can be built, and likewise, construction of the road to the north can go according to plan,” added Sandiaga. The toll road will be divided into three sections : Section 1 Gilimanuk-Pekutatan (53.6 km), Section 2 Pekutatan-Soka (24.3 km), and Section 3 Soka-Mengwi (18.9 km). The total investment estimated for this project is approximately IDR 24.6 trillion.
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Groundbreaking for the Gilimanuk-Mengwi toll road was done on September 10, 2022. However, it was delayed due to the inability of the initial promoter to secure the required fund. Now, with the process of re-tendering in the way, fresh hopes are found for this important piece of infrastructure.
This toll road development is most likely to turn North Bali into a new dimension in tourism for the island and afford better connectivity to its people. Preparing North Bali for a new era, the government still stands committed to the cause that this project does not serve economic growth but also enhances the experience of visitors and locals alike.
