Indonesia builds longest sea-crossing bridge in Southeast Asia
Indonesia will build a 7-km sea bridge connecting two islands near Singapore to boost trade in the region.
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Batam Island, Indonesia. Photo:Reuters. |
The Indonesian Cabinet Office said on July 11 that construction of a 7-km bridge connecting Batam and Bintan islands will begin next year at a cost of about 4 trillion rupiah ($284 million) and take 3-4 years. When completed, it will be the longest sea-crossing bridge in Southeast Asia.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo is pushing for a $400 billion infrastructure package. The government wants to turn Batam Island into a manufacturing and shipping hub on par with Singapore, attracting $60 billion in new investment. The Ministry of Public Works and Housing will study and analyze the bridge designs before the end of the year.
Indonesia wants to develop the Batam area to attract investors looking for other destinations in Southeast Asia amid US-China trade tensions. In addition, the bridge is also to take advantage of Singapore's Changi Airport building Terminal 5, with connections to Bintan.
Indonesia hopes the bridge will help reduce logistics costs and support tourism and transportation development in the region.
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Location of Batam and Bintan islands of Indonesia. Graphics:Straits Times. |
