ID :
61903
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 15:30
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/61903
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PRESIDENT INSPECTS SURAMADU BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION SITE
Surabaya, May 22 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inspected the construction site of the Surabaya-Madura (Suramadu) bridge here on Friday.
On the occasion the president said the longest bridge in Indonesia was a symbol of national awakening and development.
"Do not see the bridge as a mere link between Surabaya and Madura but try to understand that it is a symbol of our civilization and national development," the president said.
According to the head of state, the construction of Suramadu bridge was of great significance to Indonesia because of its exorbitant cost and complicated technology.
"After the bridge has been inaugurated, it should be used properly for the welfare of all people in East Java and Madura," the president said, adding that its construction should not disturb the cultural and religious values of the Maduranese people.
The Suramadu bridge which will be the first to cross the Madura Strait, has three cable-stayed sections currently under construction between Surabaya on the island of Java and the town of Bangkalan on the island of Madura.
The bridge will have two lanes in each direction plus an emergency lane and a dedicated lane for motorcycles.
When completed, the 5.4-kilometer bridge, including its connecting roads built at a total cost of about Rp4.5 trillion, will be the first land link between the two islands and the longest bridge in Indonesia.
The start of the bridge's construction was attended by President Megawati Soekarnoputri on August 20, 2003. In July 2004 a girder collapsed, killing one worker and injuring nine others.
Due to lack of funds, the work on the bridge was halted at the end of 2004 but it was resumed in November 2005, and construction works from the Java side and from the Madura side became connected on March 31, 2009.
Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto said the bridge was near completion and expected to be officially opened to the public on June 10, 2009.
On the occasion the president said the longest bridge in Indonesia was a symbol of national awakening and development.
"Do not see the bridge as a mere link between Surabaya and Madura but try to understand that it is a symbol of our civilization and national development," the president said.
According to the head of state, the construction of Suramadu bridge was of great significance to Indonesia because of its exorbitant cost and complicated technology.
"After the bridge has been inaugurated, it should be used properly for the welfare of all people in East Java and Madura," the president said, adding that its construction should not disturb the cultural and religious values of the Maduranese people.
The Suramadu bridge which will be the first to cross the Madura Strait, has three cable-stayed sections currently under construction between Surabaya on the island of Java and the town of Bangkalan on the island of Madura.
The bridge will have two lanes in each direction plus an emergency lane and a dedicated lane for motorcycles.
When completed, the 5.4-kilometer bridge, including its connecting roads built at a total cost of about Rp4.5 trillion, will be the first land link between the two islands and the longest bridge in Indonesia.
The start of the bridge's construction was attended by President Megawati Soekarnoputri on August 20, 2003. In July 2004 a girder collapsed, killing one worker and injuring nine others.
Due to lack of funds, the work on the bridge was halted at the end of 2004 but it was resumed in November 2005, and construction works from the Java side and from the Madura side became connected on March 31, 2009.
Meanwhile, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto said the bridge was near completion and expected to be officially opened to the public on June 10, 2009.
