Public Works Ministry strengthens stability of several national roads
This article has been translated by PwC Indonesia as part of our Indonesia Infrastructure News Service. PwC Indonesia has not checked the accuracy of, and accepts no responsibility for the content.
Investor Daily - Kementerian PU perkuat kemantapan sejumlah jalan nasional
22 November 2024
Jakarta, ID – The Public Works (PU) Ministry is continually enhancing the stability of national roads in preparation for the Christmas 2024 and New Year 2025 holidays. The road and bridge infrastructure in three provinces—South Sulawesi, Riau Islands, and North Sumatra—has been reviewed by House of Representatives (DPR) Commission V.
Rakhman Taufik, the Bridge Construction Director of the Highways Directorate General, stated that, following the PU Minister's directives, his agency is committed to ensuring roads are managed to a high standard. This involves eliminating potholes, maintaining level road shoulders, and providing clear markings and signs.
"Currently, national roads in Riau Islands cover 429.66 kilometres (km) with a stability rate of 99%. Meanwhile, national bridges in the region extend over 4,702.7 metres (m) and have a stability rate of 91.4%," Rakhman stated in his press release in Jakarta on Thursday (21/11/2024).
Additionally, Rakhman assures that there will be no construction work on road shoulders for ten days before and after the Christmas holiday, except for routine maintenance.
“We have also identified areas that are prone to disasters and congestion to determine the placement of the seven Christmas and New Year holiday posts, which will be on standby 24 hours a day during the festive period,” Rakhman stated.
Soendiarto, Head of the Riau Islands National Road Management Agency (BPJN), stated that the national roads in Riau Islands are divided into eight segments. These include SP. Gesek-SP. Lagol (77.4 km), SP. Gesek-Jl. Sudirman (50.72 km), and Tanjung Balai-Pasar Panjang (25.87 km).
Additionally, there are Daik-Sei Tenam Port (55.84 km), Dabo-Roro/Sei Buluh Port (26.6 km), Tarempa-Roro Port (27.18 km), Jl. Hang Tuah-Daeng Celak/SP. RSUP-Senggarang (51.85 km), and Port Selat Lampa-Teluk Buton (114.73 km), which is the longest road segment.
Meanwhile, Reiza Setiawan, the Road and Bridge Implementation System and Strategy Director at the Highways Directorate General, assures that the national roads in the South Sulawesi province are ready for use during this year's Christmas and New Year holidays. The national roads cover 1,739.2 km, and the bridges span 16,089.72 metres, with a stability rate of 96.45%.
Reiza mentioned that the PU Ministry, through the South Sulawesi National Road Agency (BBPJN), has carried out routine maintenance on national roads and bridges.
“The maintenance work includes repairing potholes and road shoulders, trimming vegetation, and fixing drainage systems. For bridges, it involves trimming vegetation, painting, and reinforcing the road surface,” he explained.
According to Reiza, to anticipate landslides and flooding, the South Sulawesi BBPJN is preparing disaster relief units (DRUs) and materials across South Sulawesi.
Road stability in North Sumatra
Previously, the PU Ministry accompanied DPR Commission V on a specific work visit to Medan, North Sumatra, on Wednesday (20/11). The purpose of this visit was to ensure that the road infrastructure is ready to support road users during the peak season over the Christmas and New Year holidays.
K.M. Arsyad, Expert Staff to the PU Minister for Inter-Institutional Relations, stated that a surge in traffic is expected in North Sumatra, where the majority of the population celebrates Christmas. To ensure comfort for road users, the PU Ministry is setting up 25 Christmas and New Year holiday posts along the national roads in North Sumatra.
“These posts will be equipped with a rest area, toilets, a musalla, prayer garments, and first aid kits. Additionally, the PU Ministry has prepared disaster relief units and materials to manage emergencies throughout North Sumatra,” Arsyad stated.
The PU Ministry, through the North Sumatra BBPJN, ensures that the national roads in North Sumatra, spanning 2,619.52 km, maintain a stability rate of 93.83%.
"We have also carried out regular road maintenance, maintained road shoulders, managed drainage systems, maintained bridges and reinforced the roads," stated Stanley C.H. Tuapattinaja, Head of the North Sumatra BBPJN.
Ilham Pangestu, Head of the Specific Work Visit Team of DPR Commission V, emphasised that the public must be informed about the locations of the posts. "These posts should also be equipped with the latest technology, providing information that is updated in real time," he stated.
In addition, DPR Commission V is also requesting that attention be focused on the stability of road infrastructure during the Christmas and New Year holidays to ensure the safety and comfort of the public.
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