Tangerang–Merak Toll Road, Opening Section of Trans-Java Merapah 2026

TANGERANG, KOMPAS.com - The Merapah Trans-Jawa 2026 Pesona Selatan Jawa journey officially began on Saturday morning, 7 March 2026. The first exploration point heads to the western tip of Java via the Tangerang–Merak Toll Road, operated by PT Marga Mandasakti (Persero) or Astra Infra Toll Road Tangerang–Merak. The Merapah team met Uswatun Hasanah, Head of Corporate Communications & Sustainability Management at ASTRA Infra Toll Road Tangerang–Merak, at the Cikupa Toll Gate (GT) in Tangerang. The mid-Ramadan period is being used by Astra Infra Toll Road Tangerang–Merak to prepare infrastructure to ensure safe and smooth mudik flows for Lebaran. Uswatun said that it is expected that around 154,000 vehicles will pass through the Tangerang–Merak Toll Road per day during the Lebaran exodus, lower than normal due to vehicle restrictions during the period. There is a slight decline of about 0.2 percent, but it is higher than Lebaran traffic last year, Uswatun told the Merapah team. Uswatun explained that Astra Infra Toll Road Tangerang–Merak has prepared several steps to face potential surges in vehicles during Lebaran mudik. Preparations cover road infrastructure, facilities, traffic management and field personnel. “The readiness includes road infrastructure, facilities, and, of course, traffic management, including personnel,” Uswatun said. “So if there is a surge in volume, transactions can be processed more quickly, thereby minimising queues at toll gates,” she added. In addition, the forecast for continued high rainfall intensity remains a concern in road infrastructure preparations. Therefore, Astra Infra Toll Road Tangerang–Merak has increased toll road cleaning staff, patching personnel, and drainage workers. In terms of traffic management, Astra Infra has also coordinated with the Police through a Joint Decree (SKB) on traffic arrangements during the Lebaran mudik and balik.