Durian. Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Sept.25 inaugurated the operation of 131.5 kilometers toll road, connecting Pekanbaru and Dumai in Riau province.
Due to covid-19 pandemic, the inauguration was conducted virtual where the president was at Bogor Presidential Palace.
“Thank God, the development of Pekanbaru-Dumai toll road of 131.5 kilometers length with cost of Rp.12.18 trillion ($856.1 million) has completed, can be fully operated and used to support the activitiy of either Riau people or those who are passing the island of Sumatra,” President Widodo said in his inauguration speech.
The construction of the road was begun in 2017 and it’s part of Trans Sumatra toll road that will connect Sumatra from Aceh to Lampung with total length of 2,987 kilometers.
It’s the first toll road in the province that contains of six sections. Pekanbaru is the capital of the province and Dumai is a city near Malacca Strait, international maritime trade line.
The toll road has at least five underpasses for elephant line concerning it is intersected elephant wildlife reserves of Balai Raja and Siak Kecil, the habitat of Sumatran elephants.
President expected the operating of the new toll road could create new economy centers and jobs.
Therefore, President Widodo hoped that local authorities could respond fast for investors who are interested to invest in the area along the toll road.
