BPJN targets Kutablang Bridge in Bireuen, Aceh for completion by August 2026

The Aceh National Road Implementation Centre (BPJN) has stated that construction of the permanent Kutablang and Teupin Mane bridges in Bireuen Regency, Aceh, which previously collapsed after being struck by flash floods, is targeted for completion or to be functional by August 2026.

“At present, the Kutablang project has reached 46 per cent progress. God willing, we can finish by July, or at the latest, it will be functional by August 2026,” said Acting Head of BPJN Aceh, Zulkarnaini, in West Aceh on Monday.

The Kutablang Bridge forms part of the national road access from eastern Aceh heading towards North Sumatra. After collapsing due to flash floods at the end of November 2025, the Ministry of Public Works immediately began permanent reconstruction work at the start of 2026.

In the interim, access at the bridge site still relies on an emergency Bailey bridge, where traffic is managed under a one-way system alternating every 30 to 60 minutes for each direction (Banda Aceh–Medan and vice versa).

“The Kutablang Bridge is on the eastern route, and that is a logistics route for the people of Aceh and North Sumatra,” he said.

Beyond Kutablang, Zulkarnaini added, the Ministry of Public Works is also currently building a permanent replacement for the Teupin Mane Bridge, which was destroyed during the recent hydrometeorological disaster, with completion also targeted for August 2026.

“It is also currently being worked on. God willing, for Teupin Mane we will try for August 2026,” said Zulkarnaini.

For context, the Teupin Mane Bridge provides access from Bireuen Regency to four regencies in central Aceh: Bener Meriah, Central Aceh, Gayo Lues, and Southeast Aceh.

Following the disaster, access there is still assisted by an emergency Bailey bridge. The site was previously inspected directly by President Prabowo Subianto during the early stages of the Aceh disaster.