On October 28, 2019, on the same day as Youth Pledge Day, President Joko Widodo inaugurated Youtefa Bridge. This bridge was initially called Holtekamp Bridge and was built in May 2015. The Youtefa Bridge spans 732 meters and connects Muara Tami District with Jayapura City. Now, this bridge has become an iconic landmark in Papua and West Papua. Let’s take a closer look at this charming Youtefa Bridge.
Grand Portrait of Youtefa Bridge
From a distance, this bridge is looking magnificent with its bright red color and two beautiful identic curved sides. The two curves are made of steel and were sent in finished forms from Surabaya. They were then transported by sea to Jayapura.
Youtefa connects two important areas which are Jayapura district to Muara Tami district as well as POS Lintas Batas Negara (PLBN) or Cross Border Post in Skouw, Papua New Guinea. Thanks to the Youtefa Bridge, the long ride from Jayapura to Skouw which originally took three and a half hours is shortened to a half-hour only.
On top of the bridge, travelers will be stunned by the beautiful scenery of Youtefa bay and the Skyline Mountains. You can also see the land of Papua New Guinea from the top of the bridge. No wonder many visitors will take selfie pictures here. Not a few tourists and locals in Papua and West Papua are amazed by the beauty of the bridge.
As you can see the breathtaking view of Youtefa bay during the day, you will also love what the bridge looks like at night. The bridge appears more sparkling and gleaming because of the appealing colorful light technology.
The presence of the Youtefa Bridge improves the locals’ economy. With many visitors coming to see this iconic bridge, locals have a new job field. They open food stalls or cafes that stand on the coast across the Muara Tami district. However, you don’t have to worry about the food price because most of them are affordable.
Printed on Special Edition Denomination
Another cool fact about this Papuan iconic bridge is that the image of the Youtefa Bridge has printed on the Rp75,000 a special edition denomination as part of the 75th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
The Youtefa Bridge is adjacent to the Trans-Java Toll Road and MRT. The three structures symbolize the country’s development achievement in the infrastructure sector. Benhur Tommy Mano, the Mayor of Jayapura, stated that he felt very proud since the bridge appeared in the new special edition banknotes.
Benhur added that the Youtefa image inclusion becomes a distinctive appreciation for Cenderawasih Island because there are many other magnificently constructed buildings in Indonesia. But since the President selected the Papuan landscape, Benhur believed that Papua and West Papua have a special place in his heart.
Muri’s Records
The construction of Youtefa Bridge was started on May 9, 2015, and has spent a budget of around IDR 1.8 trillion. The Youtefa name was selected corresponding to the local people’s requests because it is built over Youtefa Bay.
This bridge received two MURI records. The first one is because it becomes the first bridge with the curves were made intact elsewhere and later shipped to the site. The second record is for the life history of the longest distance shipping of a full steel truss bridge and the longest full steel truss bridge installation.
This bridge uses 29 units of ReachElite Powercore lights and is combined with 125 units of Vaya Flood RGB Medium Power.
Besides shortening the trip from Jayapura district to Muara Tami district and POS Lintas Batas Negara (PLBN), Youtefa Bridge also becomes new Papua and West Papua’s grand icon.
