A whopping £725 bridge is set to connect a busy city in Indonesia to a stunning island paradise, in the latest boost to the country’s infrastructure.
The Batam-Bintan bridge will link Batam, the largest city in the beautiful Riau Islands, to Bintan, a tropical paradise which is a short boat ride from Singapore.
The Indonesian government plans to build a new bridge connecting the islands which are currently only accessible to each other by ferry.
It is expected that to build the bridge it will cost 13.66 trillion rupiah, which converts to around £725m. It will dwarf the nearby Tengku Agung Sultanah Latifah Bridge, also in Indonesia’s Riau province.
The bridge will be 7,035 metres in length and the construction will involve three separate sections spanning across four islands. These include Bantam, Tanjung Sauh, Buau and Bintan.
If building goes ahead, this bridge will be the longest in Indonesia and the total length of the toll road will be 14.75 kilometres.
Batam is located in the Riau Islands of Indonesia, it is near both Singapore and Malaysia making it a popular popular spot for both leisure and business.
Bintan is in the Riau archipelago in Indonesia and holds 11 miles of beaches, it is known for its friendly atmosphere and is popular among those looking for adventure.
According to TripAdvisor reviewers who have visited Bintan, it is !a popular destination for golfers looking for better rates and more accessible courses, and is also “a nice way to escape the bustle of Singapore”.
A description on the TripAdvisor website reads: “A ferry ride takes between one and two hours, depending on where you’re headed. From there you can relax on one of the beaches or head inland for hiking and ATV rides or take a ride at the elephant park.
“There are a couple of towns on Bintan, but the island’s natural beauty is what draws visitors.”
