Access Increasingly Difficult, Main and Alternative Routes Jambi-Padang Cut Off

JAMBI, KOMPAS - Following the collapse of the National Sumatra Cross Road, or Jalinsum, which connects Jambi and Padang in Bungo Regency, Jambi Province, the alternative road also collapsed due to overloading. As an emergency effort to restore access, residents covered the road holes with coconut tree trunks.

The Director of Traffic of the Jambi Regional Police, Commissioner Dhafi, stated on Thursday (6/3/2025) that the national road crossing Sumatra, which serves as the main access connecting Jambi and Padang, remains cut off following a landslide on Sunday (2/3/2025). His team subsequently redirected four-wheeled vehicles to Alternative Route 1 in Tebo Regency. However, that alternative route also collapsed on Wednesday (5/3/2025).

"For the time being, we are diverting our vehicles to alternative route 2 by implementing a one-way system from Jambi and Padang," he said.

For the time being, our vehicles are diverted to alternative route 2 by implementing a one-way system from Jambi and Padang.

The Head of the Traffic Unit of Bungo Police Resort, Adjunct Commissioner Eko Yudha, stated that Alternative Route 2 is located at Simpang Rantau Ikil, Pulau Batu Village, Jujuhan Ilir Subdistrict, Bungo Regency, which connects to Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra. However, this alternative route can only be traversed by two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles, considering the road conditions that are partly asphalted and partly gravel. "Six-wheeled vehicles are strictly prohibited from passing," he said.

The Jalinsum road collapsed in Bungo Regency, Jambi Province, last Sunday at around 3:20 PM WIB. The road collapsed because the culvert beneath it was unable to withstand the high water flow. Traffic activities on the road connecting West Sumatra and Jambi were completely paralyzed.

On alternative route 1, the road conditions were poor due to heavy loads, which also caused the road to collapse. The collapse of alternative route 1 temporarily led to prolonged traffic congestion. Eventually, authorities redirected vehicles to alternative route 2. This redirection to alternative route 2 is expected to result in longer travel times due to the road's uneven surface and narrower size.

Dhafi stated that six-wheeled vehicles are temporarily unable to pass through alternative routes 1 and 2. His team is directing six-wheeled vehicles traveling from Jambi or Padang to take the Kerinci-South Solok route. However, the distance and travel time are longer.

Meanwhile, industrial vehicles for coal and palm oil are temporarily prohibited from passing through. This prohibition is implemented to prevent traffic accidents on the Kerinci-Solok Selatan route, which is relatively steep and winding.

Meanwhile, Head of the Jambi National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN) Ibnu Kurniawan said that the construction of an emergency bridge to replace the collapsed road on Jalinsum is underway. The Bailey bridge has been assembled since last Monday. The bridge is made of a light steel frame and is expected to be completed soon.

"We will try to do it as soon as possible, but if it rains continuously, it could take about a week to finish," he said.