PRR Task Force: Three types of emergency bridges knit connectivity in Sumatra

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR) Post-Sumatra Disaster continues to expedite the completion of bridge construction to restore community connectivity that was previously disrupted by floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

Quoted from a written statement by the PRR Task Force on Wednesday, connectivity restoration through bridge infrastructure is being carried out in parallel by building three bridge models, including Bailey bridges, Armco bridges, and pioneer bridges, at several isolated points.

The bridge construction is being carried out collaboratively by TNI AD and Polri personnel who are part of the PRR Task Force.

A Bailey bridge is a type of lightweight steel frame bridge that is portable and prefabricated. This bridge is designed to be assembled without special heavy equipment in a short time.

An Armco bridge is made from galvanised steel sheets that are formed in a corrugated shape to enhance structural strength. Meanwhile, a pioneer bridge is built simply with varied materials and sometimes in the form of a suspension bridge.

Based on PRR Task Force data as of 31 March 2026, most bridges at isolated points in the three affected areas have been completed.

The details are as follows: in Aceh, out of 41 Bailey bridge units to be built, 39 have been completed, and two others are still in the installation process.

Then, out of 82 Armco bridge units to be built, 44 have been completed.

Furthermore, out of 15 pioneer bridge units built, 14 have been completed.

Meanwhile, in North Sumatra, out of 24 Bailey bridge units to be built, 12 have been completed, and the rest are still in the installation process.

Then, out of 33 Armco bridge units to be built, 18 have been completed, and out of 13 pioneer bridge units to be built, 12 have been completed.

In West Sumatra, out of 11 planned Bailey bridge units, all have been completed. Meanwhile, out of 30 Armco bridge units to be built, 13 have been completed.

Then, out of nine pioneer bridge units to be built, five have been completed.

Chair of the Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (PRR Task Force) Post-Sumatra Disaster, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, stated that efforts to restore connectivity in the three disaster areas will not stop at building functional bridges and roads at the regional level.

As a follow-up step, the PRR Task Force will soon accelerate the construction of permanent bridges and roads so that the transportation network, community mobility, logistics distribution, and economic movement return to full normality.

“Regional bridges, especially at the regency/city level, some are already 100 percent but temporary and must be made permanent, some are not yet functional and must be made functional, but without hindering the logistics system, that is the most important,” said Tito in a press conference at the Bina Graha Building, Office of the Presidential Staff, Jakarta, on Wednesday (25/3).