Transport in Timor-Leste

History

During the Portuguese colonial period, which lasted from 1702 to 1975, little was invested in development or even upkeep of existing infrastructure.^[1] As late as the years following World War II, there were still no paved roads in the colony, even in the capital, Dili.^[1][2] Outside of the capital, roads and bridges were in poor condition or nonexistent, with many locations accessible only by traditional paths used by indigenous inhabitants.^[2][3]

Following the 1975 Indonesian invasion and subsequent occupation of the country, which lasted until 1999, substantial infrastructure development occurred, including a significant expansion of the road network.^[4] According to official figures, by 1995, 2,500 km (1,600 mi) of roads were constructed in East Timor, some 700 km (430 mi) of which were asphalted.^[4] The number of registered vehicles likewise rose from 118 in 1978 to 4,969 in 1996.^[2]

Road network

Timor-Leste has a road network of 6,041 km (3,754 mi), of which about 2,600 km (1,600 mi) of roads are paved, and about 3,440 km (2,140 mi) are unpaved.

The road network is made up of national roads linking municipal capitals (~1,500 km (930 mi)), municipal roads linking municipal capitals to towns and villages (~870 km (540 mi)), urban roads within urban areas (~717 km (446 mi)) and rural roads within rural areas (~3,112 km (1,934 mi)).^[5]

As of 2003, Timor-Leste's main arterial roads were located along the north coast, and there were good sealed roads in and around urban centres. The central mountain ridge is rugged with a maximum elevation of 3,000 m (9,800 ft) AMSL. In 2003, it could be crossed by road in several places, but the mountain roads were poorly maintained unsealed one-two lane tracks. Roads on the south coast were mostly unsealed and in poor condition.^[6]

In a 2015 survey reported by the World Bank, 57% of the rural roads were rated either bad or poor.

While under Portuguese rule, East Timor's road system, like the road network in all Portuguese colonies, adhered to right-hand drive. After the Indonesian takeover in 1975, the roads were made to switch to left-hand drive (like virtually all of present-day Indonesia). Upon independence in 2002 the left-hand traffic rule was retained.

Bridges

As of 2003, Timor-Leste had 450 road bridges. They were well constructed, but a few important bridges in the south of the country were either not in service or uncompleted. Where a bridge was not in service, the relevant stream was shallow and for most of the year could be forded.^[6]

Bridges in Dili

Two road bridges over the Comoro River link central Dili with the west side of the city, including the Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport and the Tibar Bay port, which as at early 2022 was due to start operations later that year. The more important of these two bridges is the CPLP Bridge; its alternative, approximately 800 m (2,600 ft) to its south, is the Hinode Bridge.^[11]

At the north eastern corner of central Dili, the B. J. Habibie Bridge spans the Claran River [de], and connects central Dili with the eastern waterfront of the Bay of Dili.^[12]

Ports and harbors

• Port of Dili – for passenger ships and cruise ships carrying international passengers^[14]
• Tibar Bay Port – for import and export goods; opened on 30 September 2022^[14][15]

Merchant marine

Total

• 1

Ships by type

• passenger/cargo 1 (2010)

Routes

In July 2022, the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, urged the government of Timor-Leste to open a shipping route between Kupang, Dili, and Darwin, to boost sea lane connectivity.^[16]

Heliports

8 (2012)