Trans Timor Bridge Collapses, Access from Kupang to Other Districts Paralysed

A bridge on the Trans Timor road linking Kupang City with districts across the Timor Island landmass has collapsed. As a result, long queues of vehicles have formed on both sides of the road.

The main bridge, located on the border between Naibonat Ward and Fatuleu Subdistrict in Kupang Regency, subsided by a depth of 1.3 metres around 05:00 WITA on Thursday (26/3/2025).

The Deputy Governor of NTT, Johni Asadoma, along with relevant agencies, has inspected the site upon receiving reports about the bridge’s condition. According to Johni, the bridge is severely damaged and cannot be used.

“This bridge is heavily damaged and cannot be traversed by vehicles at all. This is the main route for eastern land or Trans Timor, which is very vital, so community transportation activities have completely stopped,” said Johni, confirmed via telephone.

He emphasised that the government will take swift steps to address the impacts, including opening alternative routes for the public.

“We will quickly open an alternative road so that community activities can resume smoothly. Because this is a very important route,” stressed the former NTT Police Chief.

Not only has the bridge collapsed, Johni also found damage to a water pipe that broke at the incident site. “That pipe is known to supply water to several areas, so it has the potential to disrupt clean water distribution for the public. This also needs to be handled early,” he explained.

Johni stressed that permanent bridge repairs will take time because this road access is part of a national road under the central government’s authority.

“This is a national road, so it must be redesigned, designed, calculated, then submitted to the Ministry of PUPR; the process is not short,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the NTT National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN), Janto, stated that his side has deployed heavy equipment to the site for emergency handling.

“We are sending heavy equipment to prepare an alternative bridge. Hopefully, if the weather supports it, the work can be completed soon,” said Janto.

According to Janto, there are two options being prepared: diverting traffic via a regency road and also building a temporary bridge on the downstream side of the damaged bridge location.

“From the soil condition check results, it is very feasible to build a temporary bridge. Meanwhile, another team is preparing the design for a permanent bridge along with its budget needs,” Janto added.