Sunda Strait Bridge
The Sunda Strait Bridge is a planned road and railway connection between the two Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java. After years of discussion and planning, eventually in October 2007 the Indonesian government gave the initial go-ahead for what will become the world’s longest suspension bridge, across the 26 km (16 mi) Sunda Strait.
The US$10 billion project is for a series of bridges carrying a six lane highway and double track railway traversing the three islands of Prajurit, Sangiang, and Ular in the strait (Jakarta Globe, August 14th, 2009). The longest span is projected to be about 3km, which is more than 50% longer than the longest existing structure, the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge in Japan. According to officials in the consortium that plan to build the bridge, construction would begin in 2012 if feasibility studies confirmed it was viable. A first step consisting of "pre-feasiblity" studies have kept the plan alive, with current estimates of the first travelers crossing as early as 2020 (Jakarta Globe, August 14th, 2009).
The project's greatest challenge[citation needed] is the fact that the strait lies in one of the world's most dangerous earthquake zones. Sumatra is frequently rocked by significant tremors; more than 230,000 people in northern Sumatra were killed when a 9.0-magnitude quake in December 2004 triggered a tsunami. Many active volcanoes lie in the area, including Krakatoa only 40 km away. The best known eruption in August 1883 culminated in a series of massive explosions that killed tens of thousands of people.
The bridge would significantly cut the travel time between the islands, which takes several hours by ferry. Some 20 million people crossed the strait in 2006 and the figure is forecast to double by 2020. It would relieve mounting pressure on Java,[dubious ] home to 130 million people, whereas the population of the whole of Sumatra, which is three times larger in area, is 47 million. The capital Jakarta lies some 100km (65mi) to the east (on Java) of the strait. Sumatra is one of populous island in the world that has no roadway connection to (or does not contain) a national capital.
Sources
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (February 2008) |
- Al Azhari, Muhamad (2007-01-03). "Plan to Build World's Longest Bridge a Small Step Closer to Reality". The Jakarta Globe. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Aglionby, John (2007-01-03). "Indonesia plans world's longest bridge". Financial Times. Retrieved 7 March 2009.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Prastudi proyek jembatan Jawa-Sumatra dimulai - MetroTVNews.com
- Pemprov Pelajari Seluruh Aspek Jembatan Selat Sunda - Lampong Post