INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS - JAKARTA. The Chinese government has expressed interest in building a Rp 12 trillion (US$14.50 billion) bridge, which would be Indonesia’s longest, in North Kalimantan. The 5.6-kilometer-long bridge will connect Bulungan regency on Kalimantan’s main island to Tarakan, which is situated on a different island in the province.
North Kalimantan Governor Irianto Lambrie said Wednesday that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed between the provincial administration and Chinese firm the China Road and Bridge Corp. on the project, which will be financed through a subloan scheme.
According to Antara, Irianto said in a statement that the administration would use a grant from the Chinese government amounting to 200 million Chinese yuan ($31.67 million) to help finance the bridge.
The administration has built supporting infrastructure, including new roads to link up with the bridge, which is to be named the Bulan Bridge. The bridge will surpass the 5.4-kilometer Suramadu Bridge connecting Surabaya and Madura island in East Java.
According to Irianto, the bridge will smoothen the transport of goods using Tarakan city as a hub to other regencies, such as Bulungan, Malinau and Tana Tidung.
North Kalimantan is the country’s youngest province and shares a border with Malaysia.
