Palembang, The Indonesia Post – Governor of South Sumatra (Sumsel), H Herman Deru, accompanied by Deputy Governor of South Sumatra, Cik Ujang, inspected the Musi Landas Banyuasin Toll Road section, Sunday, (16/3/2025). This inspection was carried out to ensure the readiness of the toll road as an alternative for the Lebaran homecoming and return flow.
During the inspection, Herman Deru and Cik Ujang visited several important points, including the Musi Landas Toll Gate, Rest Area 71+000 side B, and the Rimau Island Functional Toll Gate.
Herman Deru explained that this 33 km toll road will function as an alternative to prevent long traffic jams that often occur on the Palembang-Betung road section, especially during the Lebaran homecoming season.
“Today is exactly 2 weeks of fasting, meaning Eid is 2 weeks away, so as usual the homecoming flow from Bakauheni to Jambi or Padang and so on will certainly go through the Palembang-Betung road. So far, there have been very frequent traffic jams, even when not going home for Eid, there are traffic jams, let alone this homecoming,” said Herman Deru.
HD said that the South Sumatra Provincial Government, the Ministry of Public Works, the Directorate of Traffic, and all related parties, including the organizer of the Hutama Karya toll road, have prepared this alternative road.
This toll road will be operational even though it has not been inaugurated, and will be equipped with complete facilities, including a representative rest area. The one-way system will be implemented during the homecoming and return flows to optimize the use of the toll road, he added.
“We check that the rest area is representative, if it is lacking, additional facilities can be added using tents. The signal is also good. And I also ask that attention be paid to the availability of clean water and snacks, if necessary, added if it is lacking,” said Herman Deru.
According to him, this toll road will start operating on D-7 of Eid, and heavy vehicles will be prohibited from crossing starting from D-7. Herman Deru also appealed to travelers to follow the instructions of officers and not to break through the road carelessly which can cause congestion.
Meanwhile, Project Director of HK Ruas Palembang Betung section I and II, Fakhrudin Hariyanto, explained that Rest Area STA 71+000 side B will be temporarily operated during Eid. Currently, the construction condition has been completed up to STA 92, while STA 92 to 95 is still in the form of land. According to him, there will be temporary “Lean Concrete” work along 3 km for hardening the land.
“Temporary for the homecoming and return flows, the homecoming flow from Palembang to Pangkalan Balai can enter the toll road in one direction during homecoming and the return flow from Pangkalan Balai to Palembang is only one way,” he explained.
Of the total 33 km, there are around 3.3 km that are still land but have been in the process of hardening the land. “Meanwhile, the Betung section has not been completed, it will leave Pengkalan hall temporarily,” he concluded. (ojn/ril)
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