New Toll Road Opens for Free, Palembang-Banyuasin Holiday Travel Significantly Shortened
Jakarta — PT Hutama Karya (Persero) announced its readiness to functionally operate the Palembang-Betung Toll Road to support smooth traffic flow during the 2026 Lebaran holiday period. This readiness comes as construction progress on the Palembang-Betung Toll Road has reached 79.4%, alongside strengthened cross-agency coordination to ensure safety, traffic flow, and user service standards on the segments to be opened.
Although in functional status, Hutama Karya emphasised that the opened sections have undergone safety checks and compliance inspections, and are ready for use by road users during the designated operational period.
“In the planned functional scheme, Hutama Karya will open road sections still under construction spanning approximately 53.2 kilometres, from STA 42+500 to STA 95+700 on both Lanes A and B. This functional operation is intended to help reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility during the 2026 Lebaran peak travel period,” said Executive Vice President (EVP) and Corporate Secretary of Hutama Karya, Mardiansyah, in a written statement on Saturday (28/2/2026).
As part of operational readiness, Hutama Karya has prepared a temporary barrier gate at STA 41+700 as a tapping point for toll road users who have passed the Kayuagung-Palembang Toll Road. Additionally, Hutama Karya has prepared Rest and Service Facilities (TIP) for road users at STA 71+200 on both Lanes A and B, including supporting utilities such as electricity and clean water to ensure optimal service during the functional operational period.
To ensure smooth operations, Hutama Karya will accelerate construction completion at several critical points that could affect traffic flow. Readiness is further strengthened through transaction device provision and system integration at the temporary barrier gate, staff support to address potential technical disruptions, and deployment of operational vehicles and competent personnel to support toll road services and emergency response.
Regarding traffic management, Hutama Karya has prepared traffic management through effective vehicle flow regulation, placement of personnel at critical points, and coordination with relevant agencies to anticipate congestion and maintain smooth traffic on the functional segment. Hutama Karya also ensures the availability and functionality of road safety devices, including traffic signs, temporary road markings, road lighting, safety barriers, and other safety equipment in accordance with applicable standards. Additionally, comprehensive, consistent, and real-time information to the public will be provided regarding conditions on the functional road section, traffic patterns, entry and exit access, and road user safety aspects through information channels and field management operated by the company.
“The functional opening of the Palembang-Betung Toll Road is part of our efforts to support smooth traffic flow during the 2026 Lebaran holiday period. Hutama Karya is committed to ensuring service runs smoothly whilst prioritising the safety, convenience, and comfort of road users through infrastructure readiness, personnel, and intensive coordination with relevant agencies,” said Mardiansyah.
As part of these preparations, Hutama Karya, together with the Ministry of Public Works through the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) and the Regional Office of National Road Implementation (BBPJN) South Sumatra, previously conducted monitoring of supporting lane readiness and Rest and Service Facilities (TIP) to ensure functional operational service runs optimally during the 2026 Lebaran period.
“Hutama Karya reaffirms its commitment to continue accelerating the development progress of the Palembang-Betung Toll Road so it can operate fully as planned. The presence of this toll road is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, increase travel time efficiency from the original 3-4 hours to just 1 hour, and boost economic growth in South Sumatra and its surroundings,” he concluded.
The Palembang-Betung Toll Road Section 1 (Palembang-Rengas) and Section 2 (Rengas-Pangkalan Balai) form part of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road network with a total length of 54.5 kilometres. The project features two toll gates—Rengas Toll Gate and Pangkalan Balai Toll Gate—and includes main road works, grade-separated junctions, and major structures including the Musi V Bridge spanning 1,684 metres.