Ministry of Public Works Repairs Thousands of Potholes on Brebes-Semarang Route

The Ministry of Public Works has recorded approximately 12,000 potholes along the national highway stretching from Brebes to Semarang, encompassing routes through Majenang, Ajibarang, and Margasari. The head of the Central Java National Road Supervision Unit 1, M. Sidik Hidayat, stated that road damage varies depending on causes such as rainfall and soil conditions.

“Currently there are fewer than 10 holes, but we will handle them later. The number is growing; some appear on the same day,” he said when met at the Integrated Post in Klonengan, Margasari, Tegal Regency, on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

Sidik noted that the most potholes are found along the North Coast route (Pantura), primarily on asphalted roads.

To enable rapid patching operations, the Central Java National Road Supervision Unit 1 has prepared 400 units of ready-to-use asphalt. This allows repairs to be completed quickly without the complexity of standard asphalt resurfacing procedures.

“Even though the Lebaran season traffic has begun, we continue with repairs. When a hole appears, we fill it,” Sidik said.

The road length supervised by the Central Java National Road Supervision Unit 1 extends 462.52 kilometres. This route will be traversed by holiday travellers from the western direction or Jakarta heading towards Semarang or the southern coastal regions of Java.

Holiday season traffic typically experiences congestion at the Kanci-Pejagang toll exit and the Tegal-Slawi toll exit. Traffic moving southwards is likely to accumulate at the Klonengan flyover.

Field personnel, according to Sidik, will manage congestion if it occurs at particular points. “That will probably be coordinated by traffic police or the Transportation Office,” he added.