Shortcut is a misnomer, the existing road is being straightened. It's not a toll road and remains two lanes, though the upgraded sections aren't congested with warungs, etc.
chrisco wrote
The new sections aren't long but quite noticeable as some cut through the hillside to join previous sections of winding road.
This has been ongoing for the past few years with some fairly major civil works around Bedugul and on the Singaraja side. Is said to completed by end 2023. Yet to be seen what the travel time to Denpasar will be like, though it's already quicker than it used to be.
Would allow two and a half hours for the trip if the traffic is okay, but would think getting through Bedugul on public holidays will still slow traffic down.
Biggest problem with going to Denpasar is the traffic jams in Denpasar itself. Our daughter took six hours to get to the airport yesterday, though most of that was getting through the city.
So glad not to live anywhere near Denpasar anymore!
6 hours from where? I find that hard to believe. I drive from Tabanan to Sanur regularly both in a car and a motorbike. I drive right through the heart of Denpasar and have never experienced anything of that magnitude. Sure, there are a few intersections that get backed up but nothing that crazy.