The Suramadu Bridge is a toll bridge that spans the Madura Strait between the islands of Java and Madura in Indonesia. The bridge is 5.4 kilometers long and opened to traffic on 10 June 2009. It is the longest bridge in Indonesia and one of the longest in Southeast Asia.
The Suramadu Bridge was built to replace the ferry service that has been operating between the two islands for many years, especially between the city of Surabaya and the island of Madura. Ferry services are often interrupted by bad weather and can take up to two hours to cross. The bridge has reduced travel time between the two islands to just 30 minutes.
Construction of the Suramadu Bridge began in 2003 and was completed in 2009 at a cost of US$1 billion.
This bridge was built by a consortium of Indonesian and Chinese companies.
Suramadu Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge with a main span of 1,140 meters, and has a total of 128 piers, with the highest pier as high as 165 meters.
The bridge has four lanes for vehicles and two lanes for pedestrians and cyclists
The Suramadu Bridge has become an important link between the two islands of Java and Madura and has helped boost economic activity in the region. Jembata Suramadu comes from two place names, namely the city of Surabaya and the island of Madura which are combined. On the island of Madura, the Suramadu bridge spans precisely in the city of Bangkalan.
Overview of the city of Surabaya
Surabaya is the capital city of East Java and the second largest city in Indonesia. The city has a population of over 3 million people and is one of the busiest ports in the country. Surabaya is famous for its food, nightlife and shopping places. The city is also home to many universities and colleges.
Bangkalan is a city located on the island of Madura, off the northeast coast of Java, Indonesia. The city with a population of more than 200,000 people is also known as the Surabaya Strait. Bangkalan is a port city and has a ferry terminal connecting it with Surabaya, the capital city of East Java province. Today, Bangkalan is known for its traditional food and crafts. The city is also home to many factories and industries.
