Responding to Complaints, Road Repairs in North Penajam Paser, East Kalimantan Accelerated This Month

The East Kalimantan National Road Implementation Centre (BBPJN) has moved swiftly to respond to public complaints regarding damage to a state road in the corridor from Nenang Village to Nipah-Nipah, Penajam District, Penajam Paser Utara Regency. A tactical measure has been taken by carrying out temporary repairs in the form of patching. Field Coordinator for Commitment Making Officer 1.3 of BBPJN Kaltim, Sultan, stated that the repairs to the road section in the Nenang to Nipah-Nipah area are being conducted to maintain traffic safety and smooth flow. This effort serves as a stopgap before permanent repairs in the form of an overlay are realised next year. “We are carrying out this temporary treatment as a response to road damage occurring at several points, so that the traffic situation remains safe, conducive, and smooth. For now, we are handling it with patching to keep the road functioning properly,” Sultan explained. Sultan added that permanent repairs cannot be executed this year because the programme and budget allocation were previously determined. Nevertheless, BBPJN is giving priority attention to this emergency treatment. “Permanent treatment in the form of an overlay is planned for implementation next year,” he said. In its execution, the patching work will be maximised across 12 damage points, with the main priority on areas prone to causing traffic accidents, particularly in the Nenang Village area. Sultan further explained that a full overlay will be applied to the state road section in front of the District Office. The asphalting process is targeted for completion by the day after tomorrow at the latest, while land preparation in Nenang is being finalised through excavation of damaged locations down to the subgrade layer. “We are likely to complete the road section in the Nenang area up to the front of the District Office in Nipah-Nipah Village this month,” he stressed. Previously, Penajam Paser Utara Regent Mudyat Noor stated that the Regency Government had submitted an official proposal to the Ministry of Public Works regarding the repair and development of the state road that residents had complained about. “We have proposed that it be made into two lanes or widened entirely to the Ministry of Public Works. But first, we have requested a traffic density study for that road,” Mudyat revealed. Although there are several damaged points, Mudyat disclosed that based on an assessment by the Ministry of Public Works’ BBPJN, the condition of state roads in the PPU area is actually categorised as very stable nationally. “Therefore, if the study shows it is feasible to widen the road or make it two lanes, it will be built and become a priority scale. We hope it can be realised by the Ministry of Public Works by 2027,” he concluded.