The Regent of Badung, I Nyoman Giri Prasta, explained the concept of the new sea route that has caused quite a stir. Initially, the media reported it would be a high-speed overwater highway along the coastline from the airport to Canggu. Surfers were particularly alarmed, as such a structure in the ocean would mean the end of many beloved spots.
According to Giri Prasta, the sea route he initially referred to involves the use of a maritime fleet that will connect several destinations. "This is called a sea toll road, outside the surfing zone. Ships will travel on it. For example, from Ngurah Rai Airport, so tourists won't get stuck in traffic and can reach their hotels faster."
Giri Prasta couldn't say when the high-speed sea transport will be operational. However, he mentioned that investors are already showing interest in the project.
"They (tourists) will be able to buy a ticket, and there will be several routes, including from the airport to North Kuta and Canggu," he explained.
The Balinese authorities are actively addressing the traffic problem, which many tourists already consider the main downside of vacationing on the Island of the Gods. However, it seems all the projects are still only on paper, and officials haven't decided which ones will be realized.
For instance, Ida Bagus Surya Suamba, head of the Public Works and Spatial Planning Service of Badung, discussed another project—a high-speed tram from the resort areas of Canggu and Seminyak to the airport. "This is a tram line. We will extend it along the beaches or even into the ocean."
He said the plan is to build the tram line along existing sandy beach areas. For this, the authorities are ready to import sand to areas where shoreline erosion is observed. Suamba added, "Later, we plan to create an 8-meter-wide road. But this is not a public road. First, we will arrange the beach. After that, a road for electric buses or a tram will be built."
According to initial plans, the shoreline arrangement and the launch of the new type of transport will be completed by 2025. The project budget is estimated at 900 billion Indonesian rupiahs.
Previously, the regional secretary of Badung, I Wayan Adi Arnawa, shared his ideas for improving the road situation in Uluwatu, Ungasan, and their surroundings. He confirmed that the first phase of construction of the new Southern Ring Road (JLS) has already begun. This refers to the route from Siligita to Sawangan; the next phase will start in Karang Mas, Puri Gading, and Uluwatu.
"We will extend the toll road southwards towards Sawangan, which will become part of the Southern Ring Road, providing access to drivers in Ungasan and Kutuh. Thus, if you want to go to Denpasar, you won't need to drive through GWK; you can take the new toll road."
The most significant confirmed project remains the ground metro line. Bali authorities confirmed they hope to complete the Bali Urban Rail construction by 2028.
The regional secretary of Badung, I Wayan Adi Arnawa, announced that the first phase of laying the foundation for the metro line is scheduled for September 2024. Arnawa confirmed that innovative plans and goals for MRT Bali were jointly discussed and approved by the provincial, city, and district authorities together with PT Sarana Bali Dwipa Jaya. He added, "We want to minimize the use of surface land so that Bali remains as it is now. Our territory is limited and small; if everything is exploited, we will lose our identity. I hope the current panorama does not disappear."
Currently, the final budgeting process is underway.
Acting Governor of Bali Sang Made Mahendra Jaya noted, "This event marks a new milestone in the development of transport infrastructure in Bali."
As reported in February 2024, the Bali Urban Rail metro will consist of trains that will transport tourists from the airport to the most popular tourist areas.
The head of Bali's Transportation Service, Gede Wayan Samsi Gunarta, reported that the capacity of the metro is still unknown. "We are currently calculating the number of seats and operating hours. We can't say yet how many trains there will be, but we are aiming for an interval of at least every 15 minutes."
Initial conceptual maps show that Bali's urban rail network will eventually consist of six lines, including a tram line. The first metro line to be built will be Line 1. It will connect Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport with Kuta Beach, Central Parking, Legian, and onward to Kerobokan and Seminyak.
The second line is planned as a circular route connecting Bali Airport with the resorts of Benoa, Sanur, and Sindhu. The line will loop back to the heart of Denpasar through Renon and the Bajra Sandhi Monument, continuing south and southwest towards Imam Bonjol Square, Central Parking Kuta, and then back to the airport.
Sources: detik.com, NUSABALI.com
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