Stallone Tjia
Sep 17, 2026
The long-delayed Gilimanuk–Mengwi Toll Road project is moving back into focus, with the Indonesian Ministry of Public Works reviewing its feasibility study, preparing a new investment scheme and targeting a fresh tender in 2027. The 96-kilometre toll road is now expected to begin operating in 2031, provided the required preparations and investment process stay on schedule.
Tol Gilimanuk–Mengwi Moves Forward with New Study and 2031 Target
The Ministry of Public Works is currently refining the project’s feasibility study (FS) to make the investment more attractive to potential private-sector partners. The review is considered important as the project is planned under a Government and Business Entity Cooperation (KPBU) scheme, meaning the government is seeking investors rather than relying entirely on the state budget.
Under the latest timeline, the government plans to complete the environmental impact assessment (AMDAL) and other project preparations in 2026, followed by the procurement process for a business entity in 2027. Land acquisition is expected to take place in 2028–2029, with construction progressing toward the 2031 operational target.
The project has faced several delays and unsuccessful tender attempts since it was first planned. Earlier reviews estimated the total investment requirement at around Rp25.4 trillion, although more recent government calculations have cited different figures as the project scope and financing structure are being reassessed.
Another significant change concerns the road design. The Ministry is considering reducing the overall road width to improve efficiency and lower construction costs. One of the proposals under review is the removal of a dedicated motorcycle lane, although the final design has yet to be determined. The initial phase, covering the Pekutatan–Soka–Mengwi section, is planned to span around 42–43 kilometres, while the full project remains approximately 96 kilometres.
The proposed toll road is intended to strengthen connectivity between western and southern Bali, particularly along the busy Denpasar–Gilimanuk corridor. The government has previously estimated that the route could significantly reduce travel time between Gilimanuk and Mengwi, from around six hours to approximately three hours.
For communities along the planned route, however, the latest development also brings renewed calls for clarity over land acquisition and project implementation. During a recent public consultation in Tabanan, local representatives welcomed the continuation of the project while urging the government to consider irrigation networks, religious and cultural sites, and other local concerns when finalising the design.
With the feasibility study now being refined and a new tender targeted for 2027, the Gilimanuk–Mengwi Toll Road is entering another important stage. If the planned schedule proceeds, Bali could see the long-awaited western–southern connection in operation by 2031.
