Transport on Timor Island Paralyzed After Bridge Subsidence

Kupang (ANTARA) - The National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN) of NTT stated that it is coordinating with relevant parties regarding the subsidence of the Oelmasi 1 Bridge on the Trans Timor Road in East Kupang Subdistrict, Kupang Regency, which has paralyzed transportation on the island.

“We are still coordinating further with relevant parties on handling the bridge,” said the Head of the Preservation Section of BPJN NTT, Rofinus Ngilo, in Kupang on Thursday morning, when contacted by telephone.

The bridge was reported to have experienced subsidence on the bridge approach slab towards the east to Atambua on Wednesday (25/3).

He said that when it first subsided, BPJN had added soil and patched it in the hope that it would not sink further.

However, after being patched and traversed by vehicles, the subsidence became even higher, making it impossible for vehicles from Kupang to Atambua and Timor Leste to pass.

Vehicles from Timor Leste and from Atambua also cannot pass because the subsidence is even higher and dangerous if traversed by motor vehicles.

Rofinus said that his team is currently on the way to the location to monitor the conditions there again.

“We will see first, then we will open an alternative route so that the Trans Timor road can be used while waiting for the bridge repairs,” he said.

Meanwhile, vehicle queues are stretching about four kilometers due to the bridge subsidence.

Adrian, a travel driver from Kupang, hopes that the bridge condition can be addressed soon so that they can smoothly earn a living.

“Hopefully, an alternative route will be available soon so that we can pass through,” he said.