Gilimanuk–Mengwi Toll Road Still in Planning Stage as Land Acquisition Remains a Challenge, Bali Lawmaker Says

At a journalist discussion session called #NgopiSantuy, hosted by the Indonesian Online Journalists Association (IWO) Bali in Denpasar on October 30, 2026, Nyoman Suyasa, Chairman of Commission III of the Bali Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD), gave an update on the long-discussed Gilimanuk–Mengwi toll road project.

Suyasa said the project remains in the planning and land-preparation phase, with land acquisition from numerous landowners cited as the biggest obstacle. He also noted that the originally proposed route from Gilimanuk toward Pekutatan in Jembrana Regency has been revised. The Gilimanuk–Pekutatan section will now be addressed through road widening and improvement rather than toll construction, while the toll road itself will instead be developed for the Soka–Mengwi section.

The Gilimanuk–Mengwi corridor is one of Bali's busiest routes, with travel times sometimes exceeding four hours under congested conditions. The toll road is intended to reduce travel time, ease congestion, and improve road safety for both residents and tourists. The discussion also touched on the need for better public transportation and parking facilities to encourage a shift away from private vehicle use.

This was a progress briefing by a legislative official, not an official groundbreaking announcement, and no specific timeline or completion date was given.