Palembang - Currently travelers going to South Sumatra (Palembang) have two alternative roads that can be used in the flow of Lebaran 2019/1440 H. The previous year travelers can only use the east Sumatra crossing route to South Sumatra (Palembang) from the port Bakauheuni Lampung. Now travelers can also cross the toll road from Bakauheuni (Lampung) to Palembang even though the toll road is not yet operational.

The Director General of Highways Sugiyartanto when accompanying the Working Visit of the Indonesian House of Representatives Commission V to Palembang on Thursday (23/5) said that the Trans Sumatra toll road could be used as an alternative for travelers going to South Sumatra. During the visit, Sugiyartanto wanted to see firsthand the progress of the construction of the Trans Sumatra toll road that travelers will pass. In addition to Sugiyartanto, the Commission V's Working Visit was attended by Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi, Head of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Dwikorita Karnawati Representative of the Head of the National SAR Agency (Basarnas), and several partners related to preparation for handling Lebaran 2019 / 1440 H.

The field review by Commission V aims to see first-hand the preparation of transportation facilities and infrastructure in order to handle the flow of homecoming Lebaran 2019/1440 H. The Director General of Highways explains some of the preparedness carried out by his party in supporting facilities and infrastructure for Lebaran 2019. one is to prepare the road that will be followed by travelers.

"In addition to crossing the eastern crossing of Sumatra, travelers can also cross the toll road from Bakauheuni to the city of Palembang with toll roads that are partially functional," he said.

The Trans Sumatra toll road itself from Bakauheuni Port to Palembang City has several segments and among them is operational status. The operational segments are Bakauheni - Terbanggi Besar 140.4 km, Palembang - Indralaya 21.9 km while those that are still functional are Terbanggi Besar - Pematang Panggang - Kayu Agung along 189 km and Kayu Agung - Palembang for 33 km.

For toll roads that are still functional, a supporting safety factor is needed so that road users are safe. Drivers will be asked to drive more carefully because the toll road with a functional status has not yet been installed. With these considerations the utilization cannot yet be fully 24 hours. Planned to be used starting at 06.00 until 16.00 WIB.

"At around 4pm the vehicle can go out to the existing Lintas Timur road so that no undesirable things will happen on the Toll Road itself," said Sugiyartanto.

In addition to toll roads, the East Sumatra Cross road is also in a condition ready for Lebaran travelers. So travelers who want to continue to pass through the East Sumatra Crossroad are also considered by repairing some lightly damaged roads. For this reason, travelers are free to choose the road to be traveled. If there is congestion in a certain area, the traffic management is under the authority of the National Police Corruption Eradication Agency or the related Regional Police Directorate in charge of the field.

"In the corridor, Sumatra (Aceh to Lampung) has three crossings (Cross East, Central Cross and West Cross) with conditions of road stability above 90 percent.

"Indeed, there are segments that are temporarily contracted, now this contract is running (some are in repair, some are still carrying out work) but all of the functions can support the travelers." He explained. (Rko)