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Issues: `Is it worth connecting Sumatra and Java?'
In recent months there have been public and media debates on the possibility of connecting Sumatra and Java islands using either a long-span bridge or an undersea tunnel
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I
n recent months there have been public and media debates on the possibility of connecting Sumatra and Java islands using either a long-span bridge or an undersea tunnel.
The issue has become more appealing because of the involvement of an Indonesian business tycoon acting as a possible investor on the project; a prominent and respected national engineering consulting company; and the provinces of Banten and Lampung.
Both provincial governments have signed an agreement to pursue the proposed connecting bridge, spanning 29 km, making it one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. The bridge will cost US$10 billion and require 15 years to construct using public-private partnership scheme.
Your comments:
Considering that the cost for constructing either a bridge or a tunnel is very costly beside the potential danger of the volcanic mountain Krakatau, we better focus on the cheapest way to better connect Java and Sumatera. It is the ferry-crossing system from Merak-Bakauheni and vice versa that must become the first priority for improvementand modernization.
The transportation experts can give their ideas on how to do that. In other countries especially in Europe, the ferry crossings are also reliable and contribute a lot to help the movement of people and goods.
Don't forget that our country is an archipelago. If we can have one sophisticated ferry system, it can be a role model to better connect other islands throughout the country. This is far cheaper and definitely will contribute significantly in improving the national inter-island transportation system.
Umbu HMT
Jakarta
I think, when crossing the strait becomes much easier, there'll be a jump in vehicle numbers hogging the streets in Java. Imagine, with current given conditions, our streets in Java seem to be burdened already. The government needs to address that.
Akhyari Hananto
Surabaya
I appreciate the concept but a functioning highway ring road around Jakarta, and functioning cross-island high speed highways are of much more importance and will help the economy much better than an incredibly dubious bridge connecting Java and Sumatra.
By functioning I mean no vendors, no tolls, no bottlenecks, emergency lanes for stopping only, no stoplights and effective entrance/exit ramps, and speeds greater than 100KPH. In fact, I am sure that this bridge will never happen in 100 years.
One of the greatest achievements in US history is the interstate highway system. You can drive from New York to the border at Tijuana, Mexico without stopping. The highway system spawned a period of remarkable economic growth.
Morgan
Houston
