Vehicles Restricted as Jakarta-Bandung Toll Road Broken

TEMPO.CO, Bandung - Management of Jakarta-Bandung toll road, also known as Cipularang or Purbaleunyi toll road, have imposed a restriction for heavy vehicles currently traveling there to avoid Cisomang Bridge since one of its supporting pillars has slightly shifted.

“We’ve already restricted [the operation] of heavy vehicles during Christmas and New Year’s holidays, we’ll possibly continue [the restriction] in the future,” said the toll road’s Branch Head of PT Jasa Marga, Ricky Distawardhana, on Friday, December 23, 2016.

According to Ricky, the restriction intends to redirect vehicles that are heading to Cisomang Bridge, which crosses over the Bandung-Purwakarta Highway. 

“Large vehicles from Jakarta can take the Sadang or Jatiluhur exit gate and then they can enter [the toll road] at Padalarang gate. Meanwhile, [vehicles] from Bandung can exit at Padalarang or Cikamurang,” he said.

Ricky said that his party is currently investigating the cause of the shifted pillar of Cisomang Bridge. "It's still being investigated. Probably there is an underground deformation or movement beneath the [pillar's] location." 

The restriction will be enacted as long as the repairment process is underway. As of now the pillars are being grouted and strengthened.

The Public Works and Housing Ministry has requested PT Jasa Marga and the related agencies to limit the number of vehicles crossing the bridge by only allowing small vehicles such as sedans and minivans to pass over the bridge.

AHMAD FIKRI