Bridge in Cipayung Subsides Again Just Days After Repair
Jakarta – A bridge on Kampung Kramat Road, Setu Village, Cipayung District, East Jakarta, has subsided again following repairs carried out by the East Jakarta Roads and Drainage Sub-Agency.
“I could still pass through on Saturday evening and night (28 February), but by Sunday (1 March) the situation was completely like this – cars cannot pass through anymore, and motorcycles have to take turns passing on the sides,” said Mujiyo (56), a regular motorcyclist using the route, on Monday at the location in Cipayung District.
The condition has prompted complaints from residents and road users as it disrupts the main access connecting the Jakarta-West Java border region. According to Mujiyo, this damage is particularly severe and occurred suddenly over the past two days, despite the section having been previously patched with asphalt.
“As far as I know, this is the first time it has been damaged this severely. Previously, there was a slight dip in the asphalt section that was patched and repaired, but now the subsidence is deeper and very disruptive,” Mujiyo explained.
The bridge subsidence has caused traffic congestion. Vehicles that can still pass through must take turns, whilst cars are forced to seek alternative routes via Kapuk-Sumir Road or the PLN Toll Road.
“If I go around via Sumir, it takes an extra five minutes if there is no congestion. If there is congestion, it could be more than eight minutes. It is very disadvantageous for road users,” said Mujiyo.
Mujiyo added that in 36 years of using the route, this is the first time he has witnessed the bridge subside so significantly as to disrupt main access. As an online motorcycle taxi driver, the condition has also affected his income as travel time has increased considerably.
“Especially for us road workers and online motorcycle taxi drivers who travel back and forth constantly. If cars cannot pass through, it definitely adds to congestion on alternative routes,” said Mujiyo.
He noted that the bridge is a crucial access point for residents from Jatimurni and Jatiwarna to reach Jakarta. If not handled permanently soon, he fears recurring damage will continue to harm the public.
He hoped the government would conduct comprehensive repairs rather than temporary patches to prevent the bridge from subsiding again and to maintain smooth inter-regional connectivity.
“For temporary handling, we filled the subsided road section with coldmix and hotmix,” said Benhard Hutajulu, Head of the East Jakarta Roads and Drainage Sub-Agency, on Thursday (26 February).
This work was undertaken after the road experienced significant subsidence and posed safety risks to passing motorists. Benhard stated that the patching work was temporary in nature to restore user comfort and safety.
The subsided road section reached depths of approximately 20 to 30 centimetres. Without prompt action, this would severely disrupt user comfort and potentially endanger motorists, particularly motorcyclists. Given the significant depth of subsidence, the agency first filled the area using macadam stone before covering the surface with coldmix and hotmix asphalt to ensure better compaction and evenness.