[1] In October 2007, after years of discussion and planning, the Indonesian government gave the initial go-ahead for a project which includes several of the world's longest suspension bridges, across the 27 km (17 mi) Sunda Strait.

The project,[3] with an initial estimated minimum cost of at least US$10 billion but probably considerably more, is for a series of bridges carrying a six lane highway and double track railway traversing the three islands of Prajurit, Sangiang, and Ular in the strait.

There were originally hopes that the first travellers might cross the bridge as early as 2020 although the likely completion date is tending to drift because of delays in discussions about plans for the project.

[7] One of the various possible designs that has been mentioned involves a project of around 27 km in length with the following sections alternating across land and water:[8] Possible sections of Sunda Strait Bridge (illustrative example) One of the difficult technical challenges to be considered is the fact that the strait is near the Sunda Trench in one of the world's most dangerous earthquake zones and is frequently rocked by significant tremors.

A bridge might encourage some Jabodetabek commuters to move to Lampung province in southern Sumatra from Banten in West Java.

It is also noted that the design of the bridge, as well as allowing for the inclusion of a railway, should also consider technical aspects such as the precise location (site) of the structure, geology, faults, seabed contours, seismicity, volcanology, and the risk of tsunamis.

[44] Some of the difficult technical, financial and economic issues involved in the construction of the Channel Tunnel between the United Kingdom and France appear to be relevant for planning about the best arrangements for a transport connection across the Sunda Strait.

A second set of technical issues concerns the geological risks involved in locating such a major project close to sites of possible volcanic activity.

[45] Other uncertain issues relate to financing, likely pricing and revenue policies (toll arrangements), likely demand for (use of) the facility, and the cost of compensation for land acquired during the course of construction.

The Governors of Banten and Lampung along with local business and community representatives argue that the bridge would have important regional development benefits.

Other observers point to the stimulus that the construction of the bridge could provide to the development of technical engineering skills in Indonesia.

[47] The incident, and the resulting court case, served to highlight numerous difficult issues which affect the poorly enforced regulatory arrangements that underpin the use of the sea lanes in the Sunda Strait.

[48] Another problem is that there are often major traffic delays as long lines of trucks queue up to access the ferry services from Merak port which cross the strait.

It is not uncommon for hundreds of large trucks to be caught in queues stretching back from the port for up to 10 km or more and for drivers to have to wait for two or three days to board one of the ferries.