Road Closed Again Following Two Large Potholes at Cipayung Bridge

Jakarta — Access to Jalan Kampung Kramat in Rukun Warga (RW) 04, Setu Village, Cipayung District, East Jakarta has been closed following the discovery of two large potholes near Cipayung Bridge.

“The two potholes pose a danger to passing motorists, so the road cannot be traversed temporarily,” said Setu Village Head Dwi Widiastuti in Jakarta on Monday.

The damage was deemed to pose a serious risk to road users’ safety, prompting local authorities to decide on a total closure of the connecting road linking Jakarta and Bekasi.

Dwi explained that the condition of the discovered potholes was sufficiently concerning. The first pothole measures approximately 30 to 100 centimetres in width, extends four metres in length, and reaches a depth of three metres.

Meanwhile, the second pothole measures approximately 20-30 centimetres in width, extends six metres in length with a depth of approximately one metre.

“Given these conditions, it is extremely dangerous if vehicles, particularly motorcycles, continue to pass through. Therefore, we have decided to implement a temporary closure for safety reasons,” Dwi stated.

Observations at the site showed that the asphalt surface around the bridge appeared cracked and subsided. The area beneath the road is suspected to have been eroded by water flow, causing the soil structure to weaken.

Officers have installed barriers and safety lines to prevent vehicles from passing, particularly large and heavily laden vehicles.

Jalan Kampung Kramat has long been a favoured alternative access route for residents, as it connects East Jakarta with Bekasi.

The closure has impacted residents’ mobility, particularly workers and students who typically use this route to reduce travel time.

Dwi acknowledged that travel distances have become longer, but road user safety must be the top priority.

“Vehicles can use Jalan PLN, Jalan Sumir, or the JORR toll road. Although travel distances are longer, safety is more important,” Dwi said.

The village administration has also coordinated with relevant technical agencies for further remedial action.

Residents hope that repairs will be conducted comprehensively to prevent damage from recurring and to restore safe access to this vital route in the Cipayung area.

As previously noted, the bridge on Jalan Kampung Kramat, RW 04, Setu Village, Cipayung District, East Jakarta, subsided again despite having been repaired previously by the East Jakarta Public Works Sub-office.

“On Saturday afternoon and evening (28 February) I could still pass through. On Sunday (1 March) it had deteriorated completely like this. Motorcars can no longer pass, and motorcycles must navigate the edges one at a time,” said Mujiyo (56), a motorcycle rider who frequently uses the route, at Jalan Kampung Kramat, RW 04, Setu Village, Cipayung District, East Jakarta on Monday.

Residents and road users have complained about the condition, as it disrupts the main access connecting the border region between West Java and Jakarta.

According to Mujiyo, this damage is particularly severe and occurred suddenly over the past two days. Previously, the section of road that had subsided was already patched with asphalt.

“To my knowledge, this is the first time it has been damaged this severely. There were previous instances where the asphalt subsided slightly and was patched and repaired, but now the subsidence is deeper and far more disruptive,” Mujiyo explained.

This has also resulted in increased travel times and has the potential to cause traffic congestion at diversion points.

“If I take the detour through Sumir, it adds another five minutes of travel time if there is no traffic congestion. If there is congestion, it could take over eight minutes. This is very costly for road users,” Mujiyo said.

Mujiyo added that in his 36 years of traversing this route, he has never witnessed the bridge subside so significantly as to disrupt the main access.

Previously, personnel from the East Jakarta Public Works Sub-office repaired the subsided bridge road on Jalan Kampung Kramat, RW 04, Setu Village, Cipayung District.

The subsided section was patched with cold mix and hot mix asphalt. This remedial work was undertaken after the road had experienced considerable subsidence and was feared to pose a danger to passing motorists in the area.

The patching undertaken remained temporary in nature to restore comfort and safety to road users.

Additionally, given the considerable depth of the subsidence, personnel first filled the area using macadam stone. Subsequently, the surface was covered with cold mix and hot mix asphalt to achieve greater density and evenness.