Riau to increase capacity of road network

PEKANBARU. The Riau provincial administration is planning to increase the capacity of the national road network by widening the road at the border between Pekanbaru municipality and Kampar regency and turning it into a freeway by 2013, with costs estimated at between Rp 450 billion (US$50 million) and Rp 500 billion.

The head of Riau’s Public Works Office, SF Hariyanto, said the freeway, stretching 20 kilometers, was expected to be the first of a number of road projects in Riau.

“The engineering design is still being completed. I’m positive that the project can be completed in a year if all the stakeholders lend their support,” he said on Monday.

According to Hariyanto, the project entails the expansion of the existing road from around eight meters to 42 meters wide. The entire road will be divided into three lanes for cars plus a 3.5-meter lane devoted to motorcycles.

“This is not a new concept as it has been applied in Sulawesi. Upon its completion, it will be the first road in Sumatra to resemble a toll road but with no toll to be paid,” he said.

“Despite its status as a national road, there’s no harm in Riau building it for the sake of the Riau people,” he added.

According to Hariyanto, the Riau administration expects the central government, Pekanbaru municipality and Kampar regency administrations to share the budget as the freeway will pass through the two regions. “The main stumbling block is funding. Land has been acquired and landowners along the highway have been fully compensated,” he said.

“We are optimistic that there will be no obstacles regarding land compensation, meaning the project can be started immediately. We just have to wait for the funds to be disbursed,” he added.

Besides minimizing the frequent traffic accidents and congestion on the Central Sumatra Highway connecting Riau and West Sumatra, the project is also aimed at cutting the traveling time between Pekanbaru and Bangkinang from one hour to only 20 minutes.

“It will be more efficient as it will save time, given the smooth traffic flow, and it will also save people money,” he said.

“So far, the border between Pekanbaru and Kampar is prone to congestion and traffic accidents due to the narrow road and numerous intersections. After the freeway is built, overpasses will be built to allow for U-turns, so avoiding
tailbacks,” added Hadiyanto.

The head of Riau Legislative Council’s Commission C, Aziz Zaenal, warmly welcomed the plan and said he hoped the central government would allocate funds for it.

“The project aims to encourage the central government to provide funds for subsequent development projects. Upon its completion, we will show the central government how Riau has participated in improving the national road network,” said (Aziz. Rizal Harahap, The Jakarta Post)