Palu City Government Temporarily Closes Palu III Bridge Following Magnitude 6.7 Earthquake

Palu - The Palu City Government has temporarily closed traffic access to the Palu III Bridge in the capital of Central Sulawesi Province due to structural issues resulting from the impact of a 6.7 magnitude earthquake, on Tuesday.

“The temporary closure of access is based on instructions from the regional head, as several issues have occurred on the bridge section following the earthquake tremors,” said the Head of the Palu City Transportation Agency, Trisno Yunianto, in Palu, on Tuesday.

Currently, the agency and local police are implementing traffic engineering measures. Routes from Kimaja Road are being diverted to Rajamoili Road, with the Palu IV Bridge serving as an alternative route for those travelling towards the West Palu area.

Additionally, routes from KH Wahid Hasyim Road are being diverted to Teuku Umar Road or the old market complex, with an alternative route towards East Palu via the Palu I Bridge.

“Traffic signs have been installed. Officers from the police and the Transportation Agency have also been deployed to manage the flow of traffic,” he said.

To determine whether the bridge infrastructure is safe for use, he added, the authorities are awaiting the results of studies from the relevant technical agencies.

He explained that the temporary closure of the Palu III Bridge is an anticipatory measure by the government to ensure public safety and security following the earthquake.

“We hope the public understands the current situation. For road users, we urge you to obey traffic signs to avoid accidents,” said Trisno.

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake occurred on Tuesday at approximately 10:27 WIB at a depth of 10 kilometres, located 42 kilometres southeast of Palu.

According to data released by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency, 71 aftershocks had occurred in Palu and its surrounding areas as of 14:30 WITA.