USAID Finalizes Banda Aceh to Calang Road Alignment

June 29, 2006

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today that the alignment design for the Banda Aceh to Calang segment of the Aceh Road/Bridge Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Project has been finalized. USAID and its Government of Indonesia partners have approved the alignment for the Banda Aceh to Calang section of the road, which covers approximately half of the total route from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh. The reconstructed road is expected to play a vital role in Aceh’s economic revitalization.

This final road alignment resulted from a consultation process between USAID and its Indonesian partners, Badan Rekonstruksi dan Rehabilitasi (BRR) and the Provincial Department of Public Works. The route was chosen after a thorough investigation which included environmental assessments, community consultations and technical surveying. The release of the Banda Aceh to Calang alignment marks a key step forward in the Banda Aceh to Meulaboh road rehabilitation process, and demonstrates strong collaboration between USAID and its partners.

The Banda Aceh to Calang road alignment marks the end of the road design process. Next steps in this project include land acquisition by the Indonesian government, followed by construction.

The contract for the construction phase of the $245 million USAID funded Aceh Road/Bridge Reconstruction Project will be awarded in September, with construction commencing in the months thereafter. The project is expected to be completed within 3 years.

The Aceh Road/Bridge Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Project is part of an agreement signed by the U.S. and Indonesian governments on July 7, 2005 detailing the use of $400 million committed by the U.S. for tsunami recovery and reconstruction.

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