A Comparative Analysis of Cost Control and Perfomance Targets: A Case Study on Pile Foundation Installation in Swampy Area

Infrastructure development, particularly toll roads, continues to grow in major cities across Indonesia. The Trans-Sumatra Toll Road, with a planned length of 2,818 km, connects cities from Lampung to Aceh. One section, the Kayu Agung–Palembang–Betung Toll Road Section II, Segment 3, spans ±15.7 km, of which ±3.9 km crosses swamp areas. Swampy conditions pose challenges for pile foundation work, prompting the need to evaluate effective construction methods. This study compares two foundation installation methods in swamp areas: using pontoon vessels and using working platforms. The comparison focuses on cost efficiency and target achievement. Results show that the use of working platforms is more effective than pontoons in terms of both time and cost. Moreover, platforms provide safer and more stable access, enabling overlapping work processes and increasing overall efficiency. These findings emphasize the need for accurate method selection based on environmental and technical considerations to ensure the success of infrastructure projects in difficult terrain.