JAKARTA – The Indonesian government is accelerating the integration of national strategic infrastructure projects along the northern coast of Java. A key focus is the construction of the Semarang–Demak Toll Road, which is designed to be integrated with a massive sea wall.
In addition to addressing chronic traffic congestion on the Pantura (northern coastal) route, this project serves as a coastal protection measure against increasingly severe tidal flooding caused by climate change and land subsidence.
According to the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), progress on Section 1 of the Semarang–Demak Toll Road—stretching from Kaligawe to Sayung—had reached 44.26% as of June 12, 2025. The 10.64-kilometer segment is being built over the sea, fully integrated with the sea wall system, which will serve as a front line of defense for Semarang’s coastal areas and the Terboyo industrial zone. Meanwhile, Section 2, which connects Sayung to Demak across 16.31 kilometers of land, has been operational since February 2023.
The toll road and sea wall development is complemented by flood control measures through the Terboyo and Sriwulan Retention Pond Projects. These two ponds are projected to reduce flooding across 4,429 hectares in three subdistricts in Semarang and provide protection for more than 254,000 residents.
“This toll road will ease the traffic burden on the highly congested Pantura corridor,” said Minister of Public Works and Housing, Dody Hanggodo.
Central Java Deputy Governor Taj Yasin revealed that the provincial government is pushing for innovation through a hybrid sea wall concept to extend the barrier from Demak to Jepara. Using lightweight concrete and reclaimed materials, the structure will not only strengthen coastal defense but also help restore the coastal ecosystem.
“This concept, developed by Diponegoro University, is more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly, as it can serve as a growing medium for mangroves,” Taj Yasin explained.
Similarly, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi confirmed that the sea wall will begin functioning by January 2026. In its initial phase, the sea wall will act as a barrier separating coastal settlements from the open sea—prior to the toll road’s full operational opening.
“It will be functional by January 2026, although not yet fully operational,” he said during an inspection of the Terboyo retention pond on May 27.
At the national level, the construction of a massive sea wall along the Pantura coastline is one of the top infrastructure priorities under President Prabowo Subianto. During his remarks at the 2025 International Conference on Infrastructure (ICI), the President outlined the ambitious 500-kilometer project stretching from Banten to Gresik. The initiative is expected to cost up to USD 80 billion (around IDR 1,297 trillion), with an estimated completion timeline of 15 to 20 years.
“If we’re aiming for East Java, it may take 20 years. That’s not a problem. There’s an old saying: ‘A journey of a thousand kilometers begins with a single step.’ We are ready to begin,” President Prabowo said with optimism.
Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), shared that the project has attracted interest from several countries, including the Netherlands, China, South Korea, and Japan.
“The Netherlands completed a feasibility study back in 2020 and is ready to collaborate through their engineering firms,” AHY noted.
The giant sea wall project, integrated with the toll road system, stands not only as a symbol of Indonesia’s infrastructure advancement but also as a milestone in the nation’s long-term commitment to addressing climate challenges and coastal risks in a planned and sustainable manner.
