Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s expanding toll road network must serve as a direct catalyst for regional development by opening key corridors to industrial hubs, logistics centers and special economic zones, Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo said.Speaking in Jakarta on Wednesday, Hanggodo said toll road construction serves as a strategic instrument not only to improve transportation infrastructure but also to promote more equitable economic development across the country.“Through this investment, toll roads must provide greater access to industrial areas, ports, airports, special economic zones, tourist destinations and economic centers, so that improved connectivity can attract more investment,” Dody said.Indonesia currently operates approximately 3,100 kilometers of toll roads across 76 sections managed by 54 toll road business entities (BUJT).Total investment in the national toll road network has reached Rp779 trillion (approximately US$43,58 billion), including Rp36 trillion (US$2.02 billion) in foreign direct investment (FDI).Dody explained that the Public Works Ministry is implementing President Prabowo Subianto’s directives through its “PU608” vision.Under the policy framework, the ministry aims to reduce the incremental capital output ratio (ICOR) to below 6 to improve investment productivity, support the government’s target of reducing the poverty rate to zero percent, and contribute to the national economic growth target of 8 percent.“Toll roads are not only about speeding up travel; they must also contribute to accelerating economic growth,” the minister emphasized.He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to continuously developing road and bridge networks connecting urban centers, maritime ports and underdeveloped regions to improve interregional connectivity and expand economic access nationwide.