Bali Commits To Building Sea Toll Route To Reduce Tourist Travel Time

Share The Article

The Regent of Badung, Nyoman Giri Prasta, has confirmed his plans to create a sea toll route that will connect I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport with Bali’s hottest beach resorts like Canggu.

The ‘sea toll’, as he is referring to the project, is part of the tramway project proposed by leaders in the region. 

Regent Prasta’s sea toll route will start at Bali Airport and run along the coastline to Cemagi, in Mengwi District, which sits on the west side of Canggu and Seseh.

Regent Prasta’s team has confirmed that the ‘sea toll’ route will not necessarily be a road line on the Mandara Toll Road, though it is being referred to as such. 

@mateinsoq Exploring motorcycle-friendly toll roads in Indonesia with stunning coastal views along the way. 🏍️🌊 #bali #tolbalimandara #travelpotography #wonderfulindonesia ♬ suara asli – mateinsoq

Speaking to reporters, the Head of the Badung Public Works and Space Planning Service (PUPR), Ida Bagus Surya Suamba, clarified the plans: “This is a tram line. It will indeed be on the beach or the sea.” He revealed that the plan is to build the tramline along existing stretches of sandy beach and import sand into areas where beach erosion is present. 

Suamba added, “Later, the road is planned to be 8 meters wide. But this is not a public road; this is specifically for electric buses [or trams]…We do the beach arrangement first. After that, a road equipped with an electric bus will be built.”

@wibikembara Terbang di atas Jalan Tol Paling Indah, #balimandara #tolroad #balimandaratollroad #highangle ♬ Kemana Kita Hari Ini – Batas Senja

Regent Prasta has also spoken to the press himself regarding the plans. It seems that there are a few contingencies in place should the tramline not be viable after the first phase of beachside construction is completed.

Although Suamba and the teams at the PUPR are focused on establishing a tramline between Bali Airport and Cemagi, Regent Prasta has suggested that a sea toll road is still an option he is considering. 

Regent Prasta told reporters, “First, after the arrangement of the sand, there is a train on the beach border, or later, with our second alternative, it is the sea toll road. If I am the one who [can] execute it faster, this is what is agreed upon.”

He even claimed that the design of the project would add to the quality of surfing along this stretch of coast. 

@irishpand 📍Mandara Toll Road #Bali #indonesia🇮🇩 #iratraveldiary ♬ In This House – Marcus Vinicius Alfaro Nascimento

Regent Prasta wants to see progress on both projects move quickly. He explained, “Before [I] stop being the Regent of Badung, I will make a sea toll. So that international, domestic or foreign citizens get off the airport will go directly to the sea [road].”

Suamba concluded by saying that both projects have the potential to bring benefits to tourists and local communities.

Responding to concerns that a sea toll road would impact surf conditions along the coast, Suamba said, “Like on the Australian Kulkus Beach. It was bad, so I rearranged the basic construction. Finally, the waves were better. In the overall arrangement of the beach, the construction of the breakwater, the structure below it will be carried out, and others.”

The work will be done in 2025. Based on [plans], this arrangement will be carried out with a budget of IDR 900 billion.”

The sea toll road and tram system between Bali Airport and Cemagi are not the only big development projects on the cards in Bali right now. With traffic congestion blighting local communities and tourists, leaders are keen to implement solutions as soon as possible. 

Earlier this week, the Regional Secretary of Badung I Wayan Adi Arnawa spoke to reporters about his and his team’s ideas to make a positive impact on the traffic situation in and around Uluwatu and Ungasan.

He confirmed that the first phase of building the new South Ring Road (JLS) has already started, improving the route from Siligita to Sawangan; the next stage will start from Karang Mas, Puri Gading, and Uluwatu.

Arnawa explained, “We will push the toll road to the south towards Sawangan, which is the South Ring Road, so that this will be the access of the people in Ungasan and Kutuh if you want to go to Denpasar; you don’t need to go through GWK just through this toll road.”

Arnawa concluded, “This toll on the south is part of the plan. Hopefully, building access that is connected from one road to another can have a better impact on the community’s economy.”