Bitung Underpass to Address Pantura Congestion in Banten, Targeted for Completion in 2027

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) is currently completing the construction of the Bitung Underpass in Tangerang Regency, Banten. The project is expected to reduce congestion on the North Coast (Pantura) route from Serang to Tangerang. The Bitung area has long been known as one of the vehicle slowdown points due to the convergence of traffic flows from Serang, Jakarta, and Curug directions. Congestion frequently occurs, especially during morning and evening rush hours, including queues of vehicles heading to the Tangerang-Merak Toll Road access. “It is also hoped that it can smooth the economic mobility of the community passing through the national road,” said Dody, quoted on Tuesday (12/05/2026). The Bitung Underpass is being built on the National Road at the Serang/Tangerang Regency Border-Tangerang City Border, which is part of the Pantura corridor. This route serves as an important pathway for public mobility, logistics vehicles, and access to industrial areas and warehouses in Tangerang and surrounding regions. The construction of the Bitung Underpass is taking place on the Pantura Road from STA 0+125 to STA 0+475, with the underpass length reaching 350 metres. The underpass construction uses a single cell design with two lanes in one direction for traffic flow from Tangerang to Serang. The Ministry of PU states that the design adjustment from the initial double cell concept to single cell was made to ensure the safety of national strategic utilities in the form of the PT Pertamina Gas (Pertagas) pipeline route around the project location. The development of the project has been supported by several technical documents and planning, starting from the feasibility study (FS) or feasibility assessment since 2018, which was reviewed again in 2024, environmental documents, Traffic Impact Analysis (Andalalin), and review of the Detailed Engineering Design (DED). The construction of the Bitung Underpass requires land of 11,257 square metres. Currently, the progress of land acquisition has reached 9,094 square metres. Meanwhile, the remaining land owned by PT Pertamina Gas, measuring 2,163 square metres, located around the underpass site, is said to have obtained in-principle approval.