TransSumatra

TransSumatra is the name given to a proposed cross-island transport corridor in Sumatra, Indonesia. The project envisions a unified network of road, rail, ports, and airports designed to improve connectivity between the island's western and eastern coasts and to integrate its regional economies. The backbone is the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road network (JTTS), a system of tolled expressways spanning from the northern tip at Banda Aceh to the southern tip at Lampung, with extensions and spur routes under development. In addition to roads, the plan anticipates railway improvements, including potential new lines and upgrades to existing lines, as well as expansion of port capacity and air transport links to support freight and passenger movements. Various segments have progressed to different stages; some sections are open to traffic or in operation, while others are under construction or in planning. The project involves coordination across multiple provinces and national agencies; financing is typically through a mix of government funding, state-owned enterprises, and private sector investment. Proponents argue improved trade, reduced travel times, and regional development; critics cite environmental impact, displacement risk, high costs, and governance complexity.