Three Temporary Bridges Reconnect Disaster-Affected Areas in Sumatra

The Task Force for Accelerating Rehabilitation and Reconstruction (Satgas PRR) Post-Disaster Sumatra is building bridges to restore connectivity for residents affected by floods and landslides in Aceh, North Sumatra (Sumut), and West Sumatra (Sumbar). Recovery efforts are being carried out in parallel through the construction of three types of bridges—bailey, armco, and pioneer—at various isolated points. The construction process is being undertaken collaboratively by personnel from the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) and National Police (Polri) who are part of Satgas PRR. Head of Satgas PRR Post-Disaster Sumatra, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, stated that restoring connectivity does not stop at building bridges and functional roads. In the future, Satgas PRR will accelerate the construction of permanent infrastructure so that the transportation network, public mobility, logistics distribution, and economic activities can return to full normality. “Regional bridges, particularly at the district/city level, some are already 100 percent functional but temporary and need to be made permanent, some are not yet functional and need to be made functional, but without hindering the logistics system, that is the most important thing,” said Tito in a written statement on Wednesday (1/4/2026). The statement was delivered during a press conference at the Bina Graha Building, Office of the Presidential Staff, Jakarta, today. For information, bailey bridges are lightweight steel frame bridges that are portable and prefabricated, allowing them to be assembled quickly without special heavy equipment. Armco bridges are made from corrugated galvanised steel sheets to strengthen the structure. Meanwhile, pioneer bridges are built simply with varied materials, including suspension bridge models. Based on Satgas PRR data as of 31 March, most bridge constructions at isolated points have been completed. In Aceh, of the 41 planned bailey bridges, 39 units have been completed and two others are still in process. Of the 82 armco bridges, 44 units have been completed. Meanwhile, of the 15 pioneer bridges, 14 units have been built. In Sumut, of the 24 bailey bridges, 12 units have been completed and the rest are still in process. Of the 33 armco bridges, 18 units have been completed. For pioneer bridges, of the 13 planned, 12 units have been completed. Meanwhile in Sumbar, all 11 bailey bridges have been completed. Of the 30 armco bridges, 13 units have been completed. As for pioneer bridges, of the 9 planned, 5 units have been completed.