As Bali welcomes an increasing number of tourists every year, the island’s infrastructure is in desperate need of levelling up.
Traffic is one of the most widespread issues in the province, impacting both local people, tourists, and the environment. However, there is no overnight solution, and the island requires serious investment and strategic planning to resolve these ongoing issues.
The Bali Provincial Government is preparing to launch a series of strategic infrastructure projects to improve land, sea, and air connectivity, streamline transportation, and support economic growth and equitable development throughout the region.
As Governor Wayan Koster is settled into his second term in office, it is clear that he wants to see significant progress during his time as the provincial leader. This project portfolio includes the construction of roads, bridges, parking buildings, and ports, with a total budget of more than IDR 1.5 trillion sourced from the National Budget (APBN) and Regional Budgets (APBD).
Governor Koster told reporters, “All these projects are planned to begin in 2026 and are expected to be completed on schedule so that the benefits can be directly felt by the people of Bali.” These projects will help keep Bali moving for the next 100 years, though in the short term, the upheaval created by the projects may create more traffic congestion across the island.
The land, sea, and air infrastructure upgrades include a number of priority developments. A budget of IDR 250 billion has been allocated for the Ulun Danu Batur Temple Parking Building, which would help create easier access to all the top cultural attractions in the Kintamani area.
As well as an investment of IDR 350 billion for the Jimbaran Underpass, which would help alleviate the bottleneck traffic that occurs around Kuta, Jimbaran, and access to the Bukit Peninsula. A further IDR 112 billion has been assigned to the Nusa Ceningan–Nusa Lembongan Bridge, which will create a whole new level of connectivity between the two outlying islands, benefiting both local communities and tourists. The project budget includes IDR 60 billion for the Unda Reservoir extension.
Parking is a big focus point for the infrastructural planning, and the project includes a public-private partnership to expand the Padanggalak Parking Building, complete with a connecting road from the parking lot to Sanur Harbor, with a budget of IDR 90 billion from the regional budget (APBD).
This aspect of the development aims to address the frequent congestion on the bypass and the harbor.
It is not only new infrastructure that is being developed as part of the mega-plan, but essential maintenance and upgrades to the existing road network too.
The Bali Provincial Government is also preparing a provincial road rehabilitation program in all regencies, including the Gianyar, Jembrana, and Tabanan regions, as well as providing special financial assistance (BKK) to improve road quality in Bangli and Buleleng Regencies, amounting to IDR 29.5 billion and IDR 30 billion, respectively. This would improve the road network around top attractions and top resort areas, including Tanah Lot, Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, Penglipuran Village, Kintamani, and Ubud.
The project also includes work on the long-anticipated Singaraja-Mengwi Shortcut Road, which is a key part of the land infrastructure transformation. As stipulated in the original planning of the shortcut road, construction of points nine and ten is scheduled for completion in 2027, while points eleven and twelve are planned for late 2027, with tenders scheduled for 2028–2029.
This project will improve access to North Bali, accelerate the distribution of goods and services, and stimulate economic growth in the region. “For the construction of points eleven and twelve, land acquisition by the Bali Provincial Government is required at an estimated cost of IDR 80 billion, which will begin in early 2027.”
This road would provide a more accessible route north to south and help alleviate traffic moving through the central highlands.
Finally, the Bali Provincial Government is preparing planning documents for the construction of the Ulun Danu Batur Temple Parking Building, the Jimbaran Underpass Road, the Nusa Ceningan–Nusa Lembongan Bridge, as well as the continuation of the Unda reservoir, and the construction of the Padanggalak Parking Building by the private sector.
A series of feasibility studies for the construction of Sangsit Port in Buleleng Regency and Amed Port in Karangasem Regency are also being conducted by a third party to support the flow of logistics and tourism.
Governor Koster concluded, “With the completion of all these projects, the mobility of people and tourists will be smoother, safer, and more comfortable. This infrastructure also forms the foundation for economic equality, especially in North Bali, and supports the growth of tourism and local trade.”
All of this is to say that tourists traveling to Bali in the next two years will be able to enjoy all the incredible attractions and scenery that the island has to offer.
However, tourists and local communities must brace for an unpredictable level of upheaval as all of these projects will require traffic diversions or even road closures at various points. Things may need to get worse before they get better.
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