Broken Bridge in West Lombok Remains Unrepaired, Vehicles Forced to Use Makeshift Crossing

A bridge that collapsed after being hit by floods in Kambeng Hamlet, Sekotong Timur Village, Lembar District, West Lombok, has not been repaired since February 2026. As a result, motorcyclists, cars, and trucks are forced to risk crossing an emergency bridge built independently by residents.

Monitoring at the location on Monday (3/8/2026) showed the emergency bridge was constructed using coconut trunks and wooden planks to allow motorbikes, pick-up trucks, and lorries to pass. The bridge is the only access for residents of two villages to reach the main road. Over the months, the elevation of the emergency bridge has continued to decline, yet residents still dare to cross it because there is no alternative route.

Sekotong Timur Village Head, Marwan Hakim, confirmed that residents have been complaining about the situation. He stated that the community has been waiting for repairs for five months, since Lalu Ahmad Zaini was still serving as West Lombok Regent. ‘Many people are complaining about this,’ Marwan said on Monday. ‘Pick-ups and trucks frequently pass through. Under these conditions, residents are forced to be brave,’ he added.

According to Marwan, it is not only private vehicles that use the emergency bridge; ambulances and operational vehicles for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme are also forced to cross it. He revealed that he has received information from the West Lombok Public Works, Spatial Planning, Housing and Settlement Areas (PUPRPKP) Department that construction of the bridge is targeted to begin this month. ‘The information is that it is currently in the tender process. Hopefully, it will be repaired this month,’ he said.

The bridge in Kambeng Hamlet, Sekotong Timur Village, Lembar District, West Lombok, was destroyed by floods on 22 February. Hundreds of families were isolated for two days, and hundreds of students were unable to attend school for a week due to the collapse of the main access route. The West Lombok Regency Government previously promised to repair the access bridge this year, with a prepared budget of Rp 2 billion. ‘It will be handled this year, around Rp 2 billion. We are currently finalising the Detailed Engineering Design (DED),’ said Head of the PUPRPKP Department, Lalu Ratnawi, on 2 March.