Government Accelerates Northern Coastal Route and Trans Java Toll Road Repairs Ahead of 2026 Mudik Season
The government is accelerating the repair of road infrastructure on the strategically important Pantai Utara (Northern Coastal Route, or Pantura) and Trans Java Toll Road to ensure smooth traffic flow during the 2026 Mudik season. The Government Communications Agency (Bakom) has stated that this measure is a response to the high vehicle mobility expected on Java, which is the main corridor for population movement during the homecoming period.
In the western Pantura region, the Ministry of Public Works through the Major Implementation Agency for National Roads (BBPJN) DKI-West Java is accelerating repairs to road damage, particularly potholes on national road sections. Repairs are focused on ensuring road conditions can handle the surge in vehicle volume at the peak of the Mudik season.
Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo emphasised that addressing potholes is a top priority and is targeted for completion before the peak Mudik period. “There were reportedly around 7,000 potholes; this has now dropped dramatically to 2,500. We will ensure that before the Mudik season, almost all of them are pothole-free,” he said.
In the short term, repairs are being conducted through patching methods to maintain traffic flow. Meanwhile, in the medium term, the Public Works Ministry is preparing follow-up measures including resurfacing (overlay) and upgrading construction to rigid pavement or concrete at several vulnerable points to ensure optimal road durability.
Particular attention is also being given to the Pemalang-Pekalongan stretch, which is an important part of the strategic Pantura corridor and is known for high vehicle mobility, particularly logistics vehicles and public transport. “This Pemalang-Pekalongan stretch must be ensured to be in sound and safe condition before Ramadan.”
The 2026 Mudik season peak runs from 6 March to 6 April 2026. Various government agencies, including regional railway services, traffic police, and the Indonesian Meteorological Climatological and Geophysical Agency (BMKG), are undertaking preparedness measures at both district government and community levels. The BMKG is ensuring readiness to support smooth and safe operations of the 2026 Mudik transport season through the provision of weather information.