Mandailing Natal Suspension Bridge Completed, Residents No Longer Need to Wade Across River

Medan (ANTARA) — The Military Command (Kodim) 0212/Tapanuli Selatan has completed a suspension bridge in Sale Baru Village, Muara Batang Gadis District, Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatra, to improve access for local residents.

“The 55-metre bridge with a width of 1.6 metres was constructed to facilitate access for residents who previously had to cross the river when entering and exiting the village,” said Regional Military Commander (Kapendam) I/Bukit Barisan Colonel Infantry Asrul Kurniawan Harahap in Medan on Wednesday.

Asrul explained that the bridge connects Sale Baru Village to Bronjong and Bulung Gadung hamlets in Muara Batang Gadis District and extends to Simpang Bambu Village in Natal District.

“The bridge construction involved multiple phases: survey and design preparation, construction of the foundation structure, construction of the tower structure, installation of main cables and suspension cables, installation of the bridge deck, and final finishing and painting work,” he said.

“The construction is now complete with 100 per cent progress, and the bridge is already being used by residents,” he added.

“When flooding occurs, access to and from the village is often completely disrupted because residents cannot cross the river,” Asrul noted.

“With the completion of this bridge, it is hoped that residents’ access to transportation becomes easier and safer, allowing social and economic activities in the region to run more smoothly,” he concluded.