Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - South Kalimantan Governor H Muhidin is targeting the construction of Pulau Laut Bridge that connecting Kotabaru and the mainland in Batulicin to be completed in three years.
The Governor made his statement when accompanying Minister of Environment (LH) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq inspecting the construction of Pulau Laut Bridge project in Tanjung Serdang, Salino Village, Pulau Laut Tengah Sub-district, Kotabaru, Wednesday.
Muhidin said that this strategic road and bridge infrastructure connecting Tanah Bumbu District and Kotabaru District was proposed as a National Strategic Project (PSN).
The bridge connecting Batulicin-Kotabaru is planned to have a span of 3.75 kilometers.
The initial work on Pulau Laut Bridge includes building foundation, which have been completed for 400 meters out of a total of 750 meters, leaving 350 meters remaining.
“I hope this can be completed quickly with a three years target that Pulau Laut Bridge can be enjoyed by the people of South Kalimantan,” said Muhidin.
Read also: South Kalimantan's Kotabaru Bridge to be continued in 2024
Minister Hanif Faisal Nurofiq said that Pulau Laut Bridge is very important not only for the people in South Kalimantan but also for regional Kalimantan as it will be the entrance and exit point for trade traffic in the future.
“Meanwhile, rivers in Banjarmasin have reported to experience sedimentation of almost 400 meters per cubic meter every day. The provincial government through PT Ambapers works about 100 tons per day, so there is still 300 tons per cubic meter remaining,” said Hanif.
The shallowing of Barito River is a water problem at Banjarmasin Harbor that requires time to recover, thus the existance of Pulau Laut Bridge is very necessary.
Hanif expounded that Pulau Laut Bridge is an alternative to improve economic sector of South Kalimantan residents because it has sufficient water depth to accomodate industrial ships.
“We can imagine that if Pulau Laut is realized then the entrance and exit will occur here. In fact, the South Kalimantan Provincial Government has designed in such a way that just needs execution,” said Hanif.
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Meanwhile, acting Head of Public Works and Spatial Planning (PUPR) Office of South Kalimantan M Yasin Toyib said that financing for the bridge project would be taken over by the central government, if the proposal to become a PSN is approved.
The provincial government has budgeted Rp200 billion for the Batulicin side and Rp300 billion for Kotabaru side.
In 2025, South Kalimantan budgets Rp300 billion for Batulicin side and Rp450 billion for Kotabaru side.
"The total is Rp1.2 trillion, while the budget required is Rp5.9 trillion, so about Rp4.7 trillion is still needed,” he said.
Yasin acknowledged that the construction of the bridge can be worked in two years, but due to the large budget consideration the construction plan is extended to three years.
“Insya Allah (God Willing) Pulau Laut Bridge will be completed and can be enjoyed by the people in 2029 with the area becoming a large port,” said Yasin.
Governor at the inpspection was accompanied by Provincial Secretary Roy Rizali Anwar, acting Assistant for Economy and Development Isharwamto, Head of Transportation Office Fitri Hernadi, Head of the Regional Revenue Agency Subhan Nor Yaumil, Head of Plantation and Livestock Office Suparmi, Head of Environment Office Hanifah Dwi Nirwana, and Head of Forestry Office Fathimatuzzahra.
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