Ampera, The Longest First Bridge in Southeast Asia

Ampera Bridge in Palembang City, South Sumatra Province

INDEPHEDIA.com - The Ampera Bridge (Mandate of the People's Suffering), originally called the Bung Karno Bridge, is a bridge in the city of Palembang, South Sumatra Province (Sumsel), Sumatra Island, Indonesia, located in the middle of the city connecting the Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir regions which is separated by the Musi River.

The inauguration of the use of the bridge was carried out in 1965, as well as confirmed the name of Bung Karno as the name of the bridge. At that time, this bridge was the first longest bridge in Southeast Asia. After the political upheaval in 1966, the name of the bridge was changed to Ampera Bridge.

The Ampera Bridge that divides the Musi River has a length of 1,117 meters (the middle part is 71.90 m), Width: 22 m, Height: 11.5 m from the surface of the water, Tower Height: 63 m from the ground, distance between towers: 75 m, Weight: 944 tons.

The idea of ​​uniting two lands in the city of Palembang "Seberang Ulu and Seberang Ilir" with bridges has actually been around since the Gemeente Palembang era, 1906.

When the post of Mayor of Palembang was held by Le Cocq de Ville, in 1924, this idea was raised again and carried out a lot of effort to make it happen. However, until Le Cocq's term ended, even when the Dutch left Indonesia, the project was never realized.

At the time of independence, the idea re-emerged. The Transitional DPRD of the Big City of Palembang again proposed the construction of the bridge at that time, called the Musi Bridge by referring to the Musi River route it crossed, at the plenary session which took place on 29 October 1956.

The efforts made by the Government of the Province of South Sumatra and the City of Palembang, which was fully supported by the Kodam IV / Srivijaya, came to fruition. Bung Karno then agreed to the development proposal.

Construction of this bridge began in April 1962, after obtaining approval from President Soekarno. The construction costs are taken from Japanese war reparation funds. Not only costs, even this bridge uses experts from the country. (SJ.IN/ENG/R-01)