The bridge project was initiated in 1992 as a core component of the Batam development master plan.
It is the longest bridge in the six-bridge Barelang chain, measuring 642 meters.
The structure functions as a cable-stayed bridge, a design choice intended to handle the coastal wind loads of the Riau archipelago.
The name 'Barelang' is an officially recognized acronym for the three main islands of Batam, Rempang, and Galang.
The bridge was constructed using a combination of balanced cantilever and cable-stayed methods.
Barelang Bridge 1, formally known as the Tengku Fisabilillah Bridge, is the primary link in a six-bridge system connecting Batam to the outlying islands of Rempang and Galang. This cable-stayed bridge is the most recognizable icon of the Riau Islands, spanning a narrow strait between Batam and Tonton Island. The structure serves as the gateway to the Barelang region, a name derived from a contraction of the islands Batam, Rempang, and Galang. Completed in the late 1990s, the bridge was designed by B.J. Habibie, Indonesia’s third president, to transform the region into an industrial and tourism hub. The bridge features a high arch design that provides significant clearance for maritime traffic passing underneath.
The grassy vantage points on the Tonton Island side offer the most comprehensive side-profile view of the bridge arches.
Bring a windproof jacket, as the elevation and coastal location create strong, constant gusts.
Explore the stalls on the Batam-side entrance for local grilled corn and coconut water.
Walk to the pedestrian areas along the bridge structure to capture unobstructed views of the surrounding strait.
Do not attempt to park on the bridge span itself as it is a major thoroughfare; use the designated parking areas at either end.
