Sunda Strait Bridge

The Sunda Strait

The Sunda Strait Bridge (Indonesian: Jembatan Selat Sunda, JSS, Jembatan Selsun, sometimes referred to in English-language reports as the SSB) is a planned road and railway megaproject between the two large Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java. The suggestion for a bridge was reportedly first put forward in 1960 by Professor Sedyatmo from Institut Teknologi Bandung as a part of broader plans, known as Tri Nusa Bimasakti, to link the three islands of Sumatra, Java and Bali.[1]

In October 2007, after years of discussion and planning, the Indonesian government gave the initial go-ahead for a project which includes several of the world’s longest suspension bridges, across the 27 km (17 mi) Sunda Strait. However, seven years later in November 2014, the incoming Joko Widodo government announced that plans to build the bridge would be shelved.[2]

Outline of the project

Construction of the bridge would be an ambitious project, being much more expensive than any other single infrastructure investment yet carried out in Indonesia. If the project goes ahead as planned, it would join the list of the world's most expensive transport infrastructure.

The project,[3] with an initial estimated minimum cost of at least US$10 billion but probably considerably more, is for a series of bridges carrying a six lane highway and double track railway traversing the three islands of Prajurit, Sangiang, and Ular in the strait.[4] The upper structure with a span of 3,300 meters would be like the Messina Strait Bridge in Italy, while the lower structure with a span of 1,991 meters would be similar to the Akashi Kaikyō Bridge in Japan.[5] Officials in the consortium that plan to build the bridge originally hoped that construction would begin in 2012 but even the plan to prepare a feasibility study was delayed beyond 2012. It is currently (early 2013) hoped that a feasibility study will be prepared in 2013. There were originally hopes that the first travellers might cross the bridge as early as 2020 although the likely completion date is tending to drift because of delays in discussions about plans for the project.[4]

There are different views as to the most appropriate design for the details of the bridge, and even as to whether the construction of a bridge is the best way of easing the current serious transport bottlenecks for movement between Java and Sumatra.[6] Alternatives which some observers favour are the construction of a tunnel or, more simply, improvements to the existing intensively used ferry services.[7]

One of the various possible designs that has been mentioned involves a project of around 27 km in length with the following sections alternating across land and water:[8]

Possible sections of Sunda Strait Bridge (illustrative example)

Section Length (km) Structure Location
Section I 4.9 Road Java to Ular Island
Section II 6.5 Suspension bridge Ular Island to Sangiang Island
Section III 6.5 Road Across Sangiang Island
Section IV 4.0 Suspension bridge Sangiang Island to Prajurit Island
Section V 5.4 Road Prajurit Island to Sumatra
Total 27.3

One of the difficult technical challenges to be considered is the fact that the strait lies in one of the world's most dangerous earthquake zones. Sumatra is frequently rocked by significant tremors; more than 170,000 people in Aceh in northern Sumatra were killed when a 9.0-magnitude quake in December 2004 triggered a tsunami. Many active volcanoes lie in the area, including Krakatoa only 40 km away. The best known eruption of Krakatau in 1883 culminated in a series of massive explosions that killed tens of thousands of people.

The bridge would significantly cut the travel time across the Sunda Strait which takes several hours by ferry. Some 20 million people crossed the strait in 2006 and the figure is forecast to double by 2020. The bridge would connect Java, with a population (2011) of around 140 million, with Sumatra (population around 52 million). A bridge might encourage some Jabodetabek commuters to move to Lampung province in southern Sumatra from Banten in West Java. The capital Jakarta lies some 100 km (65 mi) to the east of the strait, on Java. Java is the most populous island in the world, and Sumatra is fifth.

A BBC news report in June 2010 put the estimated cost at $20bn and suggested that construction may start as early as 2011.[9]

Timeline

Pre 2012

Pre 2000

2007

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2011 Economic Masterplan

The bridge, included as part of a planned Sumatra economic corridor in the Indonesian government's 2011-2015 Masterplan released in May 2011, is listed as the single largest project (costed at Rp 150 trillion, or around $15 billion) in the plan.[36] Details provided in the Masterplan indicate that the bridge is planned to be part of the Sunda Straits National Strategic Area and is part of the overall plan to improve connectivity across Indonesia. The Masterplan provides the following additional details as an outline of the project.

The bridge is expected to provide:

The Masterplan notes that the bridge will be located on a key Indonesian sea lane. Technical characteristics of the bridge should therefore allow for the passage of container and passenger ships as well as vessels such as Nimitz class aircraft carriers and other ships as large as the USS Enterprise. It is also noted that the design of the bridge, as well as allowing for the inclusion of a railway, should also consider technical aspects such as the precise location (site) of the structure, geology, faults, seabed contours, seismicity, volcanology, and the risk of tsunamis.

The benefits of the bridge mentioned in the Masterplan are the following:

The Masterplan notes that preparations for the accelerated development of the bridge should include the following:

Financing

It is not yet clear how such expensive infrastructure would be paid for. The Indonesian government has said that much of the cost will need to be financed through private sector participation. This reflects the current interest in Indonesia in the use of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for investments in infrastructure.[38] One possibility is for the bridge to be financed through a "turn-key project" arrangement. Other options include the offering of shares in the project through an initial public offering (IPO) or establishing a backdoor listing through a company already listed on the stock exchange.[39] There has also been discussion of various tax concessions that might be provided by the Indonesian Government (such as exemptions from import taxes and value-added tax) to facilitate the project.[40]

There have been numerous reports of possible financial support from various governments and firms although no firm arrangements have been announced. Countries, banks and investors who have expressed interest include the Japanese, Chinese and Korean governments, and the GS Engineering and LG group (South Korea), the JG Corporation (Japan), Nippon Koei and Nippon Steel (Japan), China Railway Construction Corporation and the China Development Bank (China), and the U.S. Export-Import (Exim) Bank.[27]

Debate about the project

The project is not without its critics.[41] Some commentators have argued that the funds could be better used for other urgent infrastructure projects. Others have argued that overall policies relating to interisland transport are more important than the construction of the bridge.[42] Concerns voiced about the project have focused on both technical aspects and economic and financial matters. The Jakarta consulting firm Independent Research and Advisory Indonesia (IRAI) carried out an early assessment of the project and concluded that "on its own the project is neither financially nor economically viable."[43]

Few public details have yet been released by the Indonesian Government about these matters. A thorough cost-benefit analysis is not yet available. A well-informed public discussion has therefore not yet been possible. The Indonesian government's Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (Badan Pengkajian dan Penerapan Teknology, or BPPT) has sponsored a number of preliminary discussions about aspects of the possible bridge technology in recent years.[44] Some of the difficult technical, financial and economic issues involved in the construction of the Channel Tunnel between the United Kingdom and France appear to be relevant for planning about the best arrangements for a transport connection across the Sunda Strait. Demand forecasts for the use of the Chunnel Tunnel, for example, turned out to be far too optimistic thus leading to a benefit shortfall. The result was that revenues received through the operation of the tunnel were much less than expected during the first few years of operation.

Technical issues

Access to and use of land for infrastructure activities often gives rise to disagreements in Indonesia. Some concerns have already been expressed about land issues in connection with the project.

A second set of technical issues concerns the geological risks involved in locating such a major project close to sites of possible volcanic activity. The Krakatoa island group, for example, is nearby.

A third set of concerns relates to whether it is best to build a bridge at all, or whether alternative approaches (such as improved ferry services) might be a better way of responding to the rapidly growing demand for improved transport services across the strait.

Economic and financial issues

Some commentators have expressed concerns about the high (and uncertain) cost of the project.[45] Other uncertain issues relate to financing, likely pricing and revenue policies (toll arrangements), likely demand for (use of) the facility, and the cost of compensation for land acquired during the course of construction. Tendering processes are also often a source of considerable controversy in Indonesia and so questions have been raised about the nature of the letting of competitive tenders for the bridge.

Other considerations

Proponents of the bridge point to various considerations in support of the project. The Governors of Banten and Lampung along with local business and community representatives argue that the bridge would have important regional development benefits. Other observers point to the stimulus that the construction of the bridge could provide to the development of technical engineering skills in Indonesia.[46]

Some proponents of the bridge also point to safety and associated water traffic considerations which they argue point to the need for a bridge. The Sunda Strait is a very busy waterway. The management of water traffic is complicated by the need to accommodate two major flows of traffic running east-west and north-south. The east-west flow mainly consists of the numerous domestic Indonesian ferries carrying passengers and goods while the north-south flow tends to be made up of international shipping which includes many large cargo vessels heading towards northeast Asia. Accidents occur from time to time, sometimes with loss of life. In September 2012, for example, eight people died when a domestic Indonesian ferry, the KMP Bahuga Jaya, carrying more than 200 people collided with a larger seagoing vessel, the tanker Norgas Cathinka, while crossing the strait.[47] The incident, and the resulting court case, served to highlight numerous difficult issues which affect the poorly enforced regulatory arrangements that underpin the use of the sea lanes in the Sunda Strait.[48]

Another problem is that there are often major traffic delays as long lines of trucks queue up to access the ferry services from Merak port which cross the strait. It is not uncommon for hundreds of large trucks to be caught in queues stretching back from the port for up to 10 km or more and for drivers to have to wait for two or three days to board one of the ferries. Traffic jams are especially likely to occur when bad weather and high waves lead to reductions in ferry services.[49]

Legal and regulatory arrangements

Four main legal instruments have been issued by the government which have a significant bearing on plans for construction of the bridge:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dimas Novita S. and Zufrizal, 'Sunda Strait Bridge: Towards ground breaking in 2014', Indonesian Infrastructure Initiative website, 19 April 2013.
  2. 1 2 Satria Sambijantoro, 'No more Sunda Strait Bridge plan', The Jakarta Post, 3 November 2014. See also 'New Government Will Not Prioritize Sunda Strait Bridge Project', Global Indonesian Voices, 2 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Official Website : Sunda Strait Bridge".
  4. 1 2 3 Al Azhari, Muhamad (2007-01-03). "Plan to Build World's Longest Bridge a Small Step Closer to Reality". The Jakarta Globe. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
  5. ↑ "Construction of Sunda Strait Bridge Takes 10 Years, Kompas". September 29, 2011.
  6. ↑ Putri Prameshwari, 'Railway on Sunda Bridge to Require Separate Study on Earthquake Impact', The Jakarta Globe, 21 November 2009. Alexander A. Bolonkin and Richard B. Cathcart (2007), 'The Java-Sumatra Aerial Mega-Tramway'.
  7. ↑ Putri Prameshwari, ibid. See also Oyos Saroso H.N., 'Exodus route hellish from Jakarta to S. Sumatra', The Jakarta Post, 27 August 2011.
  8. ↑ Details are from Hans David Tampubolon, 'Sunda Strait Bridge left in lurch by Cabinet split',The Jakarta Post, 25 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "Indonesia changing quickly as economy booms". BBC News. 12 June 2011.
  10. ↑ A chronology is provided in Dimas Novita S. and Zufrizal, 'Sunda Strait Bridge: Towards ground breaking in 2014', Indonesian Infrastructure Initiative website, 19 April 2013.
  11. ↑ See Wiratman Wangsadinata, Advanced suspension bridge technology and the feasibility of the Sunda Strait bridge. (1997?)
  12. ↑ Oyos Saroso H.N., 'Lampung, Banten plan bridge for Sunda Strait', The Jakarta Post, 12 May 2007.
  13. ↑ Presidential Decision (Keputusan Presiden) No 36/2009 about the National Team for Preparations for the Development of the Sunda Strait Bridge dated 28 December 2009.
  14. ↑ Oyos Saroso H.N., 'Consortium to be set up for Sunda Bridge', The Jakarta Post, 20 January 2011. In fact, the Presidential Degree was not issued until December 2011 (see details in the timeline above).
  15. ↑ Neil Chatterjee and Aditya Suharmoko, 'SBY Lays Out Plan to Become Top-10 Economy', The Jakarta Globe, 27 May 2011.
  16. ↑ South Korean firm eyes Sunda Strait bridge', The Jakarta Post, 11 April 2011.
  17. ↑ S. Korea eyes Sunda Strait bridge contract', The Jakarta Post, 20 May 2011.
  18. ↑ 'SBY: Jembatan Selat Sunda Dibangun Sebelum 2014', Tempo, 23 September 2011.
  19. ↑ Presidential Regulation No 86/2011, dated 2 December 2011, about the "Development of a Strategic Zone and Infrastructure for the Sunda Straits."
  20. ↑ 'SBY signs decree on Sunda Strait bridge construction', The Jakarta Post, 8 December 2011. See also Hans David Tampubolon, 'Govt begins preparations for building Sunda Strait bridge', The Jakarta Post, 21 December 2011.
  21. ↑ 'Indonesia to Study Plans for $13.9b Bridge across Sunda Strait', The Jakarta Globe, 1 February 2012.
  22. ↑ Hans David Tampubolon, 'Sunda Strait bridge lacks govt support', The Jakarta Post, 18 February 2012.
  23. ↑ Bagus BT Saragih, 'RI, China ink $17b deals', The Jakarta Post, 24 March 2012.
  24. ↑ Hans David Tampubolon, 'Project waits for blanket guarantee', The Jakarta Post, 17 April 2012.
  25. ↑ Hans David Tampubolon, 'Ministry's proposal blocks initiator's privileges', The Jakarta Post, 3 July 2012, and Hans David Tampubolon, 'Tomy a step closer to losing SSB rights', The Jakarta Post, 4 July 2012.
  26. ↑ Editorial: Intervention into $10b project', The Jakarta Post, 6 July 2012.
  27. 1 2 Hans David Tampubolon, 'US Bank Eyes Sunda Strait Bridge Project', The Jakarta Post, 5 July 2012.
  28. ↑ Oyos Saroso H.N, 'Governors demand involvement in Sunda Strait Bridge project', The Jakarta Post, 9 July 2012.
  29. ↑ Hans David Tampubolon, 'Confusion, infighting plague bridge project', and associated articles 'The SSB and SBY's legacy', 'Sunda Strait Bridge left in lurch by Cabinet split', 'Agus goes against the tide in bridge fiasco', all in The Jakarta Post, 25 July 2012.
  30. ↑ Hans David Tampubolon, 'Infrastructure: Govt may reclassify Sunda bridge as 'solicited' project', The Jakarta Post, 7 November 2012.
  31. ↑ 'Presiden: JSS Sangat Strategic', (President: JSS is very strategic) Suara Pembaruan, 6 March 2013. See also Primus Dorimulu, 'SBY Says Sunda Strait Bridge Must Proceed', The Jakarta Globe, 6 March 2013.
  32. ↑ Nadya Natahadibrata, 'Building of Sunda Strait Bridge to be left to next administration', The Jakarta Post, 27 February 2014.
  33. ↑ 'Government to Go Ahead With Sunda Strait Bridge Project', Antaranews.com, 1 March 2014.
  34. ↑ 'Incentives promised for Sunda Strait Bridge investors', The Jakarta Post, 13 March 2014.
  35. ↑ 'New Minister Prioritises on Sunda Strait Bridge', Tempo.Co, 20 May 2014.
  36. ↑ Republic of Indonesia (2011), Masterplan: acceleration and expansion of Indonesia economic development 2011-2025, issued by the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Jakarta. ISBN 978-979-3754-14-7.
  37. ↑ The Masterplan notes (p. 70) that Presidential Regulation No 13 of 2010 on Government Cooperation with Business Entities in the Provision of Infrastructure is not appropriate for megaprojects such as the Sunda Straits Bridge.
  38. ↑ A summary of some of the issues involved in PPP policy in Indonesia can be found at Harun al-Rasyid Lubis, 'Public-private partnership infrastructure market in RI', The Jakarta Post, 26 October 2011.
  39. ↑ These options are discussed in Raya Timbul Manurung, 'Financing Sunda Strait Bridge', The Jakarta Post, 17 July 2011.
  40. ↑ Dion Bisara, 'Indonesia Considers Offering Concessions for Sunda Bridge to Spur Investment', The Jakarta Globe, 20 August 2009.
  41. ↑ A sharp set of criticisms is set out in Wijayanto, 'A bridge that disjoints the nation', The Jakarta Globe, 23 September 2012.
  42. ↑ 'Jembatan Selat Sunda Belum Mendesak' [Sunda Strait Bridge is didn't yet urgent], Kompas, 20 November 2009.
  43. ↑ Lin Che Wei, 'Insight: Sunda Strait Bridge and public-private partnership', The Jakarta Post, 26 July 2012.
  44. ↑ Some useful technical details are available in the paper prepared by Professor Wiratman Wangsadinata from the Bandung Institute of Technology for the BPPT. See Wiratman Wangsadinata, op cit.
  45. ↑ A. Tony Prasetiantono, 'Pertumbuhan ekonomi tersandera: analisis ekonomi [Economic growth held hostage: economic analysis]', Kompas, 26 September 2011. Tri Listiyarini, 'Proposed $25b Java to Sumatra Bridge Costs Too Much, Economist Says', The Jakarta Globe, 18 March 2012.
  46. ↑ Will Hickey, 'The Sunda Strait Bridge could be powerful conduit for building jobs skills in Indonesia', The Jakarta Post, 13 August 2012.
  47. ↑ Eight reportedly die as boat sinks in Sunda Strait', The Jakarta Post, 26 September 2012.
  48. ↑ Agus Pambagio, 'Fallout of the Norgas Cathinka - Bahuga Jaya collision', The Jakarta Post, 27 November 2012. See also the comment from the CEO of the Norwegian company which owned the Norgas Cathinka at Morits Skaugen, 'Foreign, Indonesian lessons from the Norgas incident', The Jakarta Post, 8 July 2013.
  49. ↑ 'Hundreds of vehicles remain stuck at Merak Port', The Jakarta Post, 14 January 2013.
  50. ↑ Presidential Decision (Keputusan Presiden) No 36/2009.
  51. ↑ Presidential Regulation (Peraturan President) No 86/2011, dated 2 December 2011.

Coordinates: 5°57′21″S 105°51′18″E / 5.95583°S 105.85500°E / -5.95583; 105.85500

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