To Prevent Accidents, Kramat Jati Strengthens Roads with New Asphalt Layer

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Kramat Jati sub-district government in East Jakarta is strengthening road structures by adding new asphalt layers at several high-risk damage points to prevent accidents.

“The addition of a new asphalt surface layer is intended to prevent potholes, provide comfort, and reduce the potential for accidents among drivers,” said the Head of Kramat Jati Sub-district, Kamal, when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta on Saturday.

This strategic effort is a response to the high potential for accidents due to potholed roads, especially during the rainy season.

Kamal assured that road handling is not merely patchwork but is carried out preventively with resurfacing using AC/WC asphalt. This method is considered more effective in maintaining road durability against early damage.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Road Infrastructure Implementation Unit (Satpel) for Road Maintenance in Kramat Jati, Dudy Supriyadi, stated that his team targets handling every road damage within 1x24 hours after receiving reports.

“Handling is carried out using the method of covering holes with hot asphalt (hotmix) or cold asphalt (coldmix), depending on field conditions,” Dudy explained.

Dudy explained that the main factor causing potholes is high rainfall, which allows water to seep in and damage the asphalt layer.

In addition, utility excavation activities and the old age of the roads also accelerate damage.

“Weather conditions pose the biggest challenge in the field, as the repair process greatly depends on dry conditions to achieve optimal results,” Dudy said.

Nevertheless, cross-agency coordination with Regional Work Units (SKPD) is said to be running optimally. This is important to ensure that repairs are not disrupted, especially on road sections affected by utility work.

In the future, the Kramat Jati sub-district government will also optimise the annual routine maintenance programme, both for neighbourhood roads and roads wider than three metres.

Furthermore, comprehensive resurfacing will be carried out on road sections deemed no longer suitable for patching.

Through this preventive approach and rapid response, Dudy hopes to create safer, more comfortable, and proper road conditions for all road users, while reducing traffic accident rates in the area.