To prevent further subsidence, Cipayung bridge opened only to motorcycles

Jakarta – The Cipayung sub-district administration in East Jakarta has restricted access on the Kampung Kramat Bridge along Jalan Kampung Kramat in RW 04, Setu, Cipayung, to two-wheeled vehicles only, to prevent further subsidence.

‘For four-wheeled vehicles, passage is still prohibited as it is considered to place too much burden on the bridge’s structure,’ Diman, the Camat (sub-district head) of Cipayung, said when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday.

This step is a rapid measure to prevent further damage and stop the condition from worsening. ‘The embankment around the bridge has subsided, which could endanger road users if four-wheeled vehicles continue to cross,’ he added.

As a temporary solution, the district has installed a steel plate measuring about 2 by 3 metres, with a width of two metres. The edges of the steel plate have also been paved to prevent it from shifting when motorcycles pass.

According to Diman, the policy was taken after the road’s total closure had sparked congestion on alternative routes, such as Jalan Sumir and Jalan PLN. With the limited motorcycle access opened, the traffic load on surrounding routes is hoped to ease. ‘When the road was closed, there was congestion on alternative streets. We hope that with motorcycles allowed to pass, the congestion can ease,’ he said.

Officials are coordinating with the Implementation Unit (Satpel) of the Suku Dinas Bina Marga in Cipayung to accelerate the response. Furthermore, the narrow lanes around the site are planned to be fitted with additional steel plates so that two-wheeled vehicles, including riders from Bekasi, can pass alternately.

Diman urged residents to comply with the restriction for collective safety. ‘Motorcycles can pass, but cars should use other alternative routes. This is for our safety so that more severe damage does not occur,’ he emphasised.

Earlier, some personnel from the Suku Dinas Bina Marga of East Jakarta had repaired the dipping road on Jalan Kampung Kramat RW 04, Setu, Cipayung. ‘For temporary handling, the sunken section was patched with cold mix and hot mix,’ said Benhard Hutajulu, head of the Suku Dinas Bina Marga East Jakarta, on Thursday (26 February). ‘On Saturday (28 February) afternoon to evening I could still pass. By Sunday (1 March) the condition had deteriorated to this extent; cars could no longer pass, and motorcycles also had to pass along the edge in turns,’ said Mujiyo (56), a motorcyclist who frequently travels through the area, on Monday (2 March).

Residents and road users have complained about the condition as it disrupts the main access linking the West Java–Jakarta border. According to Mujiyo, the damage is quite severe and occurred suddenly in the past two days. Previously, the section of road that had subsided had been patched. Mujiyo hopes the government will undertake a comprehensive repair soon, not merely a temporary patch, so that the bridge does not subside again and inter-regional access remains smooth.