Exodus Traffic Flow: Three Spillover Markets on Tangerang-Merak Route Present Congestion Risk

Three sprawling street markets along the Tangerang-Merak arterial route in Banten are emerging as congestion hotspots ahead of the 2026 Lebaran exodus.

The problematic areas are located in Cikupa, Balaraja and Jayanti subdistricts, Tangerang Regency.

The situation arises because hundreds of vendors have set up stalls along roadside shoulders, obstructing vehicle traffic heading to Merak Port via the arterial route.

Observations at Gembong Market in Balaraja subdistrict on Sunday, 15 March, revealed dozens of vendor stalls arrayed across approximately 200 metres of roadside. Similar activity was also reported on routes serving Tangerang Regency and Tangerang City the previous week.

Asep Dedi Budiman, Head of Traffic Control (Kanit Turjawali) at Tangerang City Police Traffic Unit (Satlantas Polresta), stated that these sprawling markets at the three locations could trigger severe congestion, particularly during peak holiday exodus periods.

“There are several congestion points caused by shopping centres, including Cikupa Market, Gembong Market and Jayanti Market. For traffic management, should congestion occur on toll roads or arterial routes, we have prepared several alternative routes providing access to Merak Port,” Asep stated.

“Personnel have been deployed from the Greater Tangerang border and South Tangerang, extending to Serang Regency boundaries, including the establishment of six traffic posts and command centres, located at Pasar Kemis, Citra Raya, Gembong, Adiyasa, and at toll kilometre markers 43 and 45,” he added.

Tangerang City Police Traffic Unit estimates vehicle volumes, particularly motorcyclists returning home, will increase significantly on Sunday evening, 15 March 2026.

Police personnel will be stationed at the three sprawling markets to manage congestion.