Krueng Tingkeum Bridge Operational, Aceh-North Sumatra Route Returns to Normal
The permanent Krueng Tingkeum Bridge in Kutablang District, Bireuen Regency, has returned to full operation for public traffic since Sunday (20/9). The reopening of this access officially restores connectivity on the Banda Aceh-Medan national road and facilitates smoother logistics distribution.
Vehicles can now traverse the two lanes of the new bridge freely without relying on a one-way traffic system. A strict alternating traffic scheme had previously been implemented during the period when the Bailey bridge was in use.
The smooth flow of transport access is expected to accelerate the distribution of various basic community needs. The shipment of agricultural products and various economic commodities to and from the Bireuen area is believed to regain momentum.
The Regent of Bireuen, Mukhlis, stated that the operation of this facility is a vital pillar for the recovery of the region’s infrastructure, especially as the area was hit by devastating hydrometeorological disasters in November 2025.
“With the opening of the Krueng Tingkeum Bridge, we hope to revive the economy of the people of Bireuen Regency and Aceh, which were heavily impacted by the disaster,” Mukhlis said in a written statement on Monday (21/9).
The Krueng Tingkeum crossing facility previously suffered severe damage due to flooding on 26 November 202<0xC2>5. This emergency condition had paralysed vehicle flow on one of the main corridors of the eastern Aceh route.
The government subsequently installed an emergency Bailey bridge on 27 December 2025 to maintain the vital artery of citizen connectivity. While this temporary access succeeded in maintaining vehicle flow, it often caused long queues during periods of heavy traffic.
The permanent bridge, which now stands prominently, has a span length of 149.7 metres. The main structure of the bridge was built robustly using high-quality steel girder frames.
The construction process was executed directly by the Ministry of Public Works through the Aceh National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN Aceh). This work is part of the permanent handling agenda for strategic infrastructure following disasters in the Sumatra region.
“To restore the logistics route, we built this Krueng Tingkeum Kutablang Bridge. Technically, the design and construction have been monitored by colleagues at BPJN Aceh regarding quality and have undergone load testing,” said Gatot.
Following the diversion of traffic to the new bridge, the government is scheduled to continue repairs on the old bridge structure. This follow-up action is considered crucial to strengthen the capacity and reliability of the inter-provincial national route in the long term.
The Aceh Government expressed high appreciation to the Sumatra Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Acceleration Task Force, the Ministry of Public Works, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), and the Polri (Indonesian National Police). This solid cross-agency collaboration proved successful in ensuring connectivity remained maintained until the permanent bridge was completed.
Mukhlis specifically praised the tangible support from the central government in accelerating the infrastructure recovery of Bireuen. Central intervention was deemed very helpful in addressing the budgetary limitations of the regency government in handling post-disaster impacts.
The operation of the Krueng Tingkeum Bridge also serves as a symbol of the transition from a temporary handling phase to the permanent recovery of the region. This vital access is believed to strengthen trade flows and stimulate economic revival in the affected area.