Palembang-Betung Toll Road Sections 1-2 to be Operational for 2026 Eid al-Fitr Homecoming
PT Hutama Karya (Persero) has announced its readiness to operate the Palembang-Betung Toll Road on a limited basis to support the smooth flow of traffic during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr homecoming. This readiness is in line with the progress of the Palembang-Betung Toll Road construction, which has reached 79.40%, and the strengthening of coordination between agencies to ensure safety, traffic flow, and user services on the sections that will be operational.
Although it will be operated on a limited basis, Hutama Karya has confirmed that the sections that will be opened have undergone safety checks and meet the necessary requirements, making them ready for use by travellers during the specified operational period.
“In the planned limited operation, Hutama Karya will open sections that are still under construction, spanning approximately 53.2 kilometers, from STA 42+500 to STA 95+700 on Route A and Route B. This limited operation aims to help alleviate traffic congestion and improve the mobility of people during the peak of the 2026 Eid al-Fitr travel period,” said Executive Vice President (EVP) Secretary of Hutama Karya, Mardiansyah, on Thursday (February 26).
As part of the operational preparations, Hutama Karya is preparing temporary barrier gates that will be placed at STA 41+700 as a tapping point for toll road users who have passed the Kayuagung-Palembang Toll Road. In addition, Hutama Karya is also preparing Rest and Service Areas (RSA) that can be used by travellers at STA 71+200 on the sides of Route A and Route B, including providing supporting utilities such as electricity and clean water to ensure that services can run optimally during the limited operational period.
To ensure smooth operations, Hutama Karya will accelerate the completion of construction on several critical points that may affect traffic flow. Readiness is also strengthened by providing transaction devices and integrating systems at the temporary barrier gates, providing support staff to anticipate potential technical problems, and preparing operational vehicles and competent personnel to support toll road services and emergency response.
In terms of traffic management, Hutama Karya will implement traffic management through effective vehicle flow management, placing personnel at critical points, and coordinating with relevant agencies to anticipate congestion and maintain smooth traffic flow on the operational sections. Hutama Karya also ensures the availability and functionality of road safety devices, including traffic signs, temporary road markings, street lighting, safety barriers, and other safety equipment in accordance with applicable regulations. In addition, comprehensive, consistent, and real-time information will be provided to the public regarding the condition of the operational sections, traffic patterns, entry and exit points, and road user safety through information channels and on-site management managed by the company.
“The limited operation of the Palembang-Betung Toll Road is part of our efforts to support the smooth flow of traffic during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr homecoming. Hutama Karya is committed to ensuring that services run smoothly by prioritizing the safety, convenience, and comfort of road users through the readiness of infrastructure, personnel, and intensive coordination with relevant agencies,” said Mardiansyah.
As part of the preparation, Hutama Karya, together with the Ministry of Public Works through the Toll Road Regulatory Agency (BPJT) of the Ministry of Public Works and the South Sumatra National Road Implementation Center (BBPJN), has also conducted monitoring of the readiness of support routes and Rest and Service Areas (RSA) to ensure that operational services can run optimally during the 2026 Eid al-Fitr period.
The Palembang-Betung Toll Road Section 1 Palembang-Rengas and Section 2 Rengas-Pangkalan Balai are part of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Road network with a total length of 54.5 kilometers. This project has two Toll Gates, namely the Rengas Toll Gate and the Pangkalan Balai Toll Gate, and includes main road works, interchanges, and a main structure in the form of the Musi V Bridge, which is 1,684 meters long.
“Hutama Karya reaffirms its commitment to continue accelerating the progress of the Palembang-Betung Toll Road construction so that it can be fully operational as planned. The presence of this toll road is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, improve travel time efficiency from the original 3-4 hours to only 1 hour, and encourage economic growth in South Sumatra and its surroundings,” he concluded. (RK/E-4)