Trans-Sumatra central highway heavily damaged, unsafe for travel

Trans-Sumatra central highway heavily damaged, unsafe for travel

M. Huzair, The Jakarta Post, Palembang

The main road connecting Lahat and Tebing Tinggi regencies in
South Sumatra province has been heavily damaged, making it unsafe
in many areas for travel.

On some sections of the 80-kilometer road the asphalt has
peeled away, while large potholes dot the road, which is part of
the Trans-Sumatra Central Highway.

At least six sections of the road are so heavily damaged that
they are extremely prone to accidents, Lahat Police chief Adj.
Sr. Comr. Nugroho Adji said on Monday.

The sections are located in six subdistricts in Lahat regency,
including Madu Raksa, Gunung Kembang and Saung Naga. In Madu
Raksa subdistrict, there is a large pothole in the highway every
50 meters to 100 meters.

"Cars have a very difficult time avoiding these holes because
there are so many," Nugroho said.

He said police planned to erect posts along the damaged
sections of road so officers could respond quickly to accidents.

The presence of police officers will also help deter
robberies, which are much more likely because cars are forced to
come to a virtual stop as they navigate the potholes.

The Trans-Sumatra Highway is popular with travelers coming
from Jakarta and Lampung to main cities on Sumatra island. The
highway connects Lampung with South Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu,
West Sumatra, Riau and Aceh provinces.

Given the prominent role the highway plays in transportation
on Sumatra island, South Sumatra Governor Syahrial Usman said his
government would take immediate action to repair the road.

"I just received the report on the damage to the road," he
said.

The governor said he had ordered the public works and
transportation agencies to repair the road immediately, adding
that his government had earmarked Rp 4 billion (US$425,531) for
road repairs.