Main Bridge Connecting Kupang to Timor Leste Collapses, Traffic Disrupted

The main bridge at Kilometre 38 on the Timor Raya road in Naibonat sub-district, Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), completely collapsed on Thursday (26/3). This bridge serves as the primary route connecting Kupang to Timor Leste. As a result, land transportation across Timor Island has been severely disrupted. According to local residents, the bridge collapsed entirely around 05:00 WITA. After the collapse, residents immediately blocked access to the bridge to avoid accidents. “Since morning, the bridge has collapsed at the eastern end near the Brigif, so we immediately barricaded the road because it’s the main route and we’re afraid vehicles passing through could cause disaster,” said Jemmi to CNNIndonesia.com on Thursday (25/3). Meanwhile, the Head of the National Road Agency (BPJN) for NTT, Janto Mangiri, explained that the bridge likely collapsed due to extreme weather in NTT over the past few days. He stated that the collapsed bridge is the main land transportation route on Timor Island, or the Trans Timor route. “Due to extreme weather causing downstream river landslides that eroded the soil, leading to cracks in the bridge’s foundation,” said Janto. “The bridge’s foundation has shifted, causing the deck to subside,” he added. He explained that the route will be temporarily closed for repairs. His team is promptly opening an alternative route to prevent the complete severance of the land route on Timor Island. So far, heavy equipment has been mobilised to open the alternative road so that the Trans Timor route can return to normal. “Within five days, it can operate normally again so that the public can use it,” he said. Meanwhile, Kupang Police Chief AKBP Rudo Ledo stated that he has deployed several Traffic Unit and Brimob personnel for security and traffic management at the collapse site. Currently, according to Rudi, his side has implemented traffic flow engineering through a stop-go system so that the Trans Timor road land transportation route is not completely cut off. “Now the alternative road can be used but with a stop-go system so that the transportation route remains accessible,” he said. Rudi advised road users from Kupang, Atambua, Kefamenanu, and Soe directions to be careful and follow instructions from officers.