Public Works Minister Inspects Medan-South Tapanuli Mudik Route to Ensure National Road Readiness
The Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo conducted a direct inspection of the readiness of the Lebaran mudik 2026 route in North Sumatra by undertaking a road journey from Medan to South Tapanuli on Sunday, 8 March. The inspection was conducted to ensure that the condition of the national road network is prepared to handle the increase in public mobility ahead of the mudik exodus.
During the visit, Dody also monitored the handling of several national road segments that had previously been affected by flash flooding and landslides in November 2025. Through the Directorate General of Road Development and the Major National Road Implementation Centre of North Sumatra, the Public Works Ministry has conducted repairs at 39 landslide sites and two bridges damaged by disasters.
The handling undertaken includes slope stabilisation, embankment reinforcement, road widening, drainage repairs, and reconstruction of damaged bridges. Various technical methods have been applied, including borehole installation, slope shotcrete, soil nailing, and road alignment reworking in areas with high hazard levels.
The inspection journey commenced from Medan at approximately 09:00 WIB. The convoy then entered the Kuala Tanjung–Tebing Tinggi–Parapat Toll Road segment towards Pematang Siantar, which serves as a strategic route to the Lake Toba region and the Tapanuli area.
This toll segment forms part of the Trans-Sumatra Toll Network with a total length of 136.8 kilometres, constructed through a public-private partnership scheme by PT Hutama Marga Waskita.
After exiting the toll at Pematang Siantar, the convoy continued their journey via national roads towards Parapat. On the Pematang Siantar–Parapat segment, Dody also inspected landslide sites and road preservation work to ensure the route remains safe ahead of the Lebaran mudik rush.
The journey continued towards the Tapanuli region via the Tarutung–Sibolga corridor, which serves as an important connecting route for North Tapanuli, Central Tapanuli and South Tapanuli regions.
One inspection site was located in Lobu Pini Village, Adian Koting District, on the Tarutung–Sibolga segment. At this location, the Public Works Ministry is conducting road preservation work whilst clearing landslide materials resulting from the disaster in November 2025.
“The national road segment from Medan to Sibolga is ready to handle the mudik rush beginning from H-7 Lebaran,” Dody stated according to a press release received on Monday, 9 March.
However, he acknowledged that there remain several sites requiring further handling, particularly in the North Tapanuli region towards Sibolga which face the potential for secondary landslides.
To anticipate this, the Public Works Ministry has positioned several pieces of heavy equipment at vulnerable points to accelerate response should disruptions occur in the field.
“Should a landslide occur, clearing is performed immediately. Additionally, we have positioned several pieces of heavy equipment to facilitate the debris clearance process,” he said.
The government has also prepared response posts at several locations to ensure rapid response should disruptions occur on national road segments. Currently, the Tarutung–Sibolga access is maintained via the alternative route Tarutung–Rampa–Poriaha.
Meanwhile, the Sibolga–Tarutung segment via Batu Lobang, which previously experienced approximately 70 metres of landslide damage, can now be traversed by four-wheeled vehicles with regulated crossing times.
Overall, the Public Works Ministry through the Major National Road Implementation Centre of North Sumatra is managing 131.19 kilometres of national road segments on the Aceh border to Sibolga city corridor as well as the Rampa–Poriaha–Mungkur route.
Additionally, the Sibolga–Batang Toru corridor has now become operational again following the installation of two Bailey bridge units over the Garoga River to maintain the smooth distribution of logistics and public mobility.
“We also urge mudik travellers to properly prepare their vehicles. In addition, physical condition should be maintained so that the journey proceeds smoothly and safely to the destination,” concluded Dody.