Youtefa Bridge, Longest Arch Bridge in Papua, Cuts Travel Time to Only 15 Minutes

At the eastern tip of Indonesia, a new landmark has arisen. Youtefa Bridge, the longest steel arch bridge in Papua, stands majestically over Youtefa Bay, connecting Jayapura City Jayapura with Muara Tami District. Its presence is not only the pride of the Papuan people, but also a symbol of progress and national unity.

The 11.6km-long bridge, with a 432-metre middle span and 21-metre width, has been a blessing for the people of Papua. Before the Youtefa Bridge began operating, the journey from Jayapura City Jayapura to Muara Tami District took up to 1 hour. Now, with this bridge, the duration has been cut to only 15 minutes. The travel distance from Jayapura City to Muara Tami District, which prior to the bridge’s construction covered 35 km, has now been reduced to only 12 km, cutting it to almost a third.

In addition, the Youtefa Bridge is also equipped with a sophisticated lighting system called intelligent colour lighting. The technology allows the lighting of the Youtefa Bridge to be programmed and controlled according to needs, and can produce 16 million colour combinations of light generated from its lamps.

The Youtefa Bridge is not just another infrastructure. It is a manifestation of the government’s commitment to developing Papua. Behind the majestic Youtefa Bridge, there is a story of struggle and hard work of engineers and construction workers who built it for 4 years, since 9 May 2015. Inaugurated on 28 October 2019 by President Joko Widodo, Youtefa Bridge became a new milestone in Papua. This bridge is not only a symbol of national unification, but also a reminder of the promise to develop Papua.

Youtefa Bridge has also become a stunning new tourist destination. Visitors can enjoy the scenic views of Youtefa Bay from the bridge, or relax in the parks and plazas available around the bridge. The presence of the Youtefa Bridge is a tangible proof of the nation’s progress and unity. This bridge not only connects two regions in Papua, but also connects the hearts and spirit of the Indonesian people to build the country.