In the 1970s, the United States, through USAID, provided crucial support for the construction of the Jakarta-Bogor-Ciawi (Jagorawi) highway. At the time, Jakarta to Bogor was one of the most heavily traveled routes in Indonesia. Around 9,000 vehicles each day made the 37 mile journey, and congested roads could slow travel to 25 miles an hour. With USAID support, Indonesia built its very first highway—the initial 60 kilometers of what has now become a national highway network of 2,800 kilometers and growing.
As Indonesia’s economy rapidly expanded, daily traffic between Jakarta and Bogor doubled between 1969 and 1971, and the modest roads being used at the time were not equipped to manage the increased flow. Working closely with Indonesia’s Ministry of Public Works, USAID contributed $26 million to finance construction and bring in experts to oversee the quality of work to ensure it met the highest global standards. These financial and human capital investments led to the construction of a robust highway that has stood the test of time across more than 45 years.
After completion of Jagorawi in 1978, travel times between Jakarta and Bogor were cut in half. The new road was quickly embraced by travelers, providing a smooth ride between these two important cities and a gateway to West Java. Within three years of opening, more than 27,000 vehicles used this scenic road each day—a demand that well surpassed the anticipated number of cars expected over 30 years!
“USAID was one of the only donors willing to take on this project. If Indonesia didn’t build Jagorawi during that time, I can’t imagine how it would be now with the traffic that has developed,” says former USAID engineer Philip Tjakranata, who worked on the Jagorawi program.
Today, Jagorawi still stands strong. With more than 400,000 vehicles traveling on its broad shoulders each day—on their way to work or school, visiting family, or transporting goods to sell in Jakarta—the Jagorawi highway is a daily reminder of the durability of the U.S.-Indonesian partnership.
