Subak Sari-Umalas Road Under Construction as Alternative Route to Ease Canggu Congestion

The Badung Regency Government is accelerating work on a new through-road project connecting the Tibubeneng area to Umalas, Kerobokan Kelod, in North Kuta District. The strategic infrastructure, valued at tens of billions of rupiah, has now entered the physical stage, focusing on land compaction and pedestrian pathway development. “We are carrying out the construction and improvement of roads in the Subak Sari or Batu Bolong corridor, Umalas, up to Jalan Semer. The budget ceiling reaches more than IDR 74 billion,” said the Head of Badung’s Public Works and Spatial Planning Agency, I Nyoman R Karyasa, on Monday (29/6/2026). The road construction is sourced from a 2026 Regional Loan from a Non-Bank Financial Institution, with the alternative route targeted for completion within months so it can be used by public vehicles. The project has been underway since mid-June. “The contract has been in place since 12 May 2026. The completion period is 210 calendar days,” Karyasa stated. Observations at the site show heavy equipment activity currently focused on land compaction, particularly along the new through-route from Jalan Subak Sari, Tibubeneng Village. The new road alignment cuts through vacant land in a commercial area near Cafe del Mar and heads directly towards Umalas, Kerobokan Kelod. “Technical supervision in the field is fully entrusted to PT Jakarta Rencana Selaras, which is cooperating with PT Manik Tribuwana through an Operational Cooperation scheme. We conduct regular evaluations to ensure the physical realisation in this new road area proceeds according to plan,” he said. Meanwhile, work in the Umalas area, specifically on the Umalas Klecung road section, is focused on improving the quality of the asphalt structure and constructing pedestrian facilities. Workers at the site are currently building the foundation structures for new pavements on both sides of the road. Excavation for the planned pavements has been carried out for approximately over 700 metres. This pedestrian pathway will later connect directly to the new through-road from Jalan Subak Sari. Karyasa expressed hope that the road would serve as an alternative access route to address congestion hotspots in the Canggu, Petitenget, and surrounding tourist areas. Previously, Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa stressed that the regency’s policy and budget focus is directed towards building road infrastructure to tackle traffic congestion that threatens the sustainability of regional tourism. “I am addressing the congestion issue now. Starting with development policy, our budget policy is beginning to favour infrastructure,” said Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa during the inauguration of high-ranking pratama officials, administrators, supervisors, and functional staff at the Badung Regency Government on Wednesday (24/6/2026). The development targets three vital routes in the southern Badung tourist area. The strategic projects include work on the Berawa/Batu Bolong connector to West Teuku Umar, access from Uluwatu to Melasti and the South Ring Road, and the route from Ayana to Uluwatu, Pecatu, South Kuta. Adi Arnawa stressed that cultural charm alone is insufficient to maintain visitor interest if not supported by guarantees of comfort and adequate infrastructure safety. The arrangement of transportation modes and accessibility is considered urgent.