The public works and state-owned enterprises ministers on Wednesday officially kicked off the construction of the Benoa-Nusa Dua toll road and Dewa Ruci underpass, the resort island’s latest efforts to cope with the severe traffic congestion that strangles its main tourist route.

The two projects are targeted to be completed by May 2013 in time for the APEC Meeting in 2013 and the Bali Summer Summit in 2013.

The 12-kilometer toll road, which will be built on 18,000 concrete pillars, is estimated to cost Rp 2.49 trillion (US$273.9 million) and a large part of it will run along the island’s southern shoreline.

“This will be the most beautiful toll road in Indonesia and will be a new icon for Bali,” said Akhmad Tito Karim, director of PT Jasa Marga Bali Tol, during the project’s groundbreaking ceremony at Benoa harbor.

The toll road, which will connect ...