Bawen-Ambarawa Toll Road Operational During Eid Exodus, Beginning 13 March 2026
The Bawen-Ambarawa toll road section will be temporarily operational during the 2026 Eid holiday exodus and return period. The opening of the toll is expected to help ease traffic congestion at Bawen Junction, Semarang Regency.
The toll section, which forms part of the Yogyakarta-Bawen Toll Project Section 6, is planned to be operational on 13-30 March 2026. Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi directly inspected the readiness of the toll route at Ambarawa Toll Gate on Tuesday (10/3).
“We are operationalising these two toll sections to prevent black spots and trouble spots. Usually, during peak exodus traffic, Bawen is very crowded,” said Luthfi.
In addition to the Bawen-Ambarawa section, the Solo-Yogyakarta toll route through Prambanan will also be operational during this year’s Eid exodus period.
For the initial phase, the Bawen-Ambarawa toll section to be opened functionally is lane A, running from Bawen towards Ambarawa. Meanwhile, lane B (Ambarawa towards Bawen) will open subsequently during the return period. The toll section has a length of approximately 4.98 kilometres, extending from the Bawen toll exit to the Ambarawa toll exit.
“We will operationalise lane A functionally on 13 March, whilst lane B will begin on 15 March,” he explained.
During the functional operation, two security posts will be established, each at the Bawen and Ambarawa toll exits. These posts will be staffed by officers from the Department of Transport and the Police. However, the toll operation will not yet run for 24 hours as traffic signs and road lighting are still being improved.
“The functional toll operational time is from 06:00 to 17:00,” he said.
On this occasion, Luthfi also outlined the readiness of the North Coast Java road in Central Java to handle the exodus and return traffic for this year’s Eid period. The provincial government has conducted cross-sectoral coordination meetings with various related agencies. The Central Java Regional Police headquarters is also preparing valet ride services for motorcycle-using travellers.
“In Brebes, trucks have been prepared to transport motorcycles, whilst travellers are transported using buses to their destination. This is being done because the saturation point for motorcycle travellers usually occurs when entering Central Java,” said Luthfi.
He also advised the public planning to travel during the exodus to remain cautious on the road and not to force themselves when driving.
“Be careful because your family is waiting at home. Do not rush and if you are tired, immediately rest at a rest area or exit the toll,” he advised.
The Head of the Central Java Department of Transport, Arief Djatmiko, stated that his office had carried out checks on the Bawen-Ambarawa toll route together with Jasa Marga and the Police. According to him, the functional operation of the toll will help reduce vehicle congestion at Bawen Junction, which has long been known as a congestion-prone location.
“It is very congested. Traffic engineering will be implemented to prevent congestion and vehicle build-up. Some traffic will be directed to this toll route, especially vehicles heading towards Magelang and Yogyakarta so they do not exit at Bawen toll exit,” he explained.
Meanwhile, road infrastructure readiness in Central Java for the exodus traffic is being intensified. The Head of the Central Java Public Works and Spatial Planning Department (DPUPR), Henggar Budi Anggoro, stated that road consolidation efforts continue, including filling in potholes for the safety of road users. He added that the Semarang-Godong road section, which was previously disrupted, is also in the final stages of completion.
“Concrete pouring has been carried out, we are just waiting for it to dry. By Eid minus seven days, it will be ready for vehicle traffic,” he said.