The New Longest Toll Road in Bali: An Opportunity for Bali to Reset?

For decades, the bustling atmosphere of South Bali has stood in stark contrast to other parts of the Island of the Gods.

On the beaches of Kuta and Canggu in southern Bali, tourists crowd restaurants, bars, and nightclubs. Meanwhile, visitors to the island’s western side come to enjoy seemingly untouched beaches, hike forested hills, and wander through villages where traditions remain deeply rooted.

But that may soon be about to change.

The government is preparing to launch the tender for a strategic toll road project that will be offered to investors in the near future.

Plans for Bali’s Longest Toll Road

Image courtesy: mtp-group.co.id

The toll road development follows Presidential Regulation (Perpres) No. 12 of 2025, which designates several national strategic projects in Bali for the 2025–2029 period. The focus is on strengthening infrastructure, maritime development, and cultural areas, including the Gilimanuk–Mengwi Toll Road, which the government aims to accelerate in order to connect the western and southern regions of the Island of the Gods.

The project will adopt a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment scheme. The Head of the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT), Willan Oktavian, confirmed that the project is currently in its final preparation stage under the coordination of the Directorate General of Infrastructure Financing (DJPI) of the Ministry of Public Works (PU).

The Gilimanuk–Mengwi Toll Road is planned to become the longest toll road in Bali, stretching 96.84 kilometers with an investment value of US$1.56 billion. As a National Strategic Project, it will connect Gilimanuk Port to the Bali metropolitan area.

An Opportunity for Bali to Reorganize

Image courtesy: jasamargabalitol.co.id

The toll road is expected to improve tourism access, particularly to West Bali. Many have welcomed the government’s plan. This infrastructure could also help redistribute tourist movement, easing over tourism in southern Bali by spreading visitor flows more evenly across the island.

The hope is that this project will stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities in the western region of Bali.

However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. Some residents are concerned that the project could displace thousands of homes and damage the environment, similar to what has occurred in parts of South Bali, like the loss of rice fields and water catchment areas.

With careful and well-directed planning, the development has the potential to reshape Bali’s economic landscape, encouraging investors to look beyond the already crowded southern region.

If accompanied by thoughtful development, West Bali could emerge as a new destination for travelers seeking to escape the crowds and find tranquility, especially those who wish to experience a more authentic side of Bali, away from modern hotels and restaurants, may find themselves drawn westward.