Bali has several projects that have been discussed for years or even decades—initiatives that start, stop, get revised, then restart with ribbon-cutting ceremonies. One such project is the long-awaited North Bali Airport, but this time, the focus is on the Gilimanuk-Mengwi Highway, which is supposed to connect Bali’s western seaport to the island’s central areas. Unfortunately, the latest updates are not promising.
The Toll Road Authority of the Ministry of Public Works has officially announced the suspension of the pre-qualification process for candidates bidding to construct the Gilimanuk-Mengwi Highway. It remains uncertain whether a tender for this largest infrastructure project in Bali will take place this year.
The head of the toll road tender committee, Sony Sulaksono Wibowo, explained that the suspension is due to the need to recalculate the share of government support, which will affect the total investment required.
He denied speculation that the delay is related to budget cuts in the Ministry of Public Works. This year, the ministry’s budget was reduced by a significant IDR 81.38 trillion. However, he clarified that toll roads in Indonesia are primarily developed through public-private partnerships (PPP) and are not heavily dependent on the state budget.
Wibowo also stated that he could not confirm whether the tender will proceed this year, as the final decision lies with Minister of Public Works Dodi Hanggodho.
Project Breakdown and Expected Completion
The Gilimanuk-Mengwi Highway is divided into three sections:
• Section 1: Gilimanuk – Pekutatan (53.6 km)
• Section 2: Pekutatan – Soka (24.3 km)
• Section 3: Soka – Mengwi (18.9 km)
The project was initially expected to be completed by 2028, but these delays may push back the timeline.
The 96.84-km toll road requires an investment of IDR 24.98 trillion and is designed to alleviate congestion on Bali’s national highway, which is currently a narrow two-lane road overloaded with trucks and buses. Once completed, the new highway will reduce travel time between Gilimanuk and Denpasar from 5-7 hours to just 1.5-2 hours.
Beyond reducing congestion, the highway is expected to balance Bali’s economic development, as 91% of the island’s economic activity is currently concentrated in a few key tourist areas. The project will also improve productivity and efficiency in transport logistics.
Unlike most toll roads in Indonesia, which prohibit two-wheeled vehicles, this highway will include a dedicated lane for motorcycles and bicycles—a unique feature aimed at making the road more accessible for all types of commuters.
While this project promises significant improvements for Bali’s infrastructure, its fate remains uncertain as officials re-evaluate the financial and logistical aspects.
Sources: CNBC
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