Iron Plates Installed, Traffic Jams Resolved on Jambi-Sumbar Alternative Route

TEBO, KOMPAS — The Padang Lamo road in Tebo Regency, Jambi, which had previously collapsed, can finally be traversed by motorists. The prolonged traffic congestion that had occurred on the Jambi-West Sumatra alternative route gradually eased on Friday (7/3/2025).

The Head of the Regional Integrated Service Unit (UPTD) Workshop and Equipment of the Public Works Office of Jambi Province, Iwan Rahmadi, stated that the emergency repair was carried out by installing steel plates along the collapsed bridge. The work was completed on Thursday night (6/3). "The route can finally be used again by vehicles with a maximum load of 8 tons," said Iwan.

Thus, the traffic congestion that had stretched for three days was finally resolved in the early hours of Friday. Nevertheless, according to Iwan, the route still requires monitoring to anticipate recurring road subsidence during rainfall.

Moving forward, permanent repairs to the bridge will be carried out using unexpected funds from the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) of Jambi Province. "Until permanent repairs are made, vehicles carrying loads exceeding 8 tons are prohibited from crossing as it is still not completely safe," stated Iwan.

Padang Lamo Road in Tebo Regency is being utilized as the primary alternative route following the collapse of the National Sumatra Cross Road (Jalinsum) in Bungo Regency, Jambi, last Sunday afternoon (2/3/2025). As is known, Jalinsum in that area collapsed due to heavy rainfall.

Traffic activity on the main road connecting Sumbar and Jambi has come to a complete standstill. The location of the collapsed road is in Tukum Village, Jujuhan District, Bungo, not far from the border between Bungo and Dharmasraya, Sumbar. The road collapsed over a stretch of 12 meters because the culvert beneath it was unable to withstand the water flow due to heavy rainfall.

The Head of Teluk Kayu Putih Village, VII Koto Subdistrict, Tebo, Muslim Samad, stated that the alternative route on Padang Lamo Road is unable to accommodate the vehicles queuing to pass. The road even collapsed temporarily, rendering it impassable for vehicles.

As an emergency measure, he said, residents worked together to install temporary connections in the form of coconut tree trunks so that the road could be passed by two-wheeled vehicles.

Emergency repairs to the alternative route by installing iron plates further opened up access connecting the two regions. "Starting early this morning, the long queues of vehicles were finally able to be untangled. Currently, there is no more severe congestion," said Muslim.

Meanwhile, a driver of a basic necessities transport from Padang to Jambi, Ujang, complained about the collapse of the Jalinsum. He said that the condition forced him to take an alternative route in Tebo. The trip was delayed and the transportation costs increased.

Moreover, when crossing an alternative route that was full of holes, the truck he was driving had a flat tire. "I had to pull over to change the tire," he said.

Under normal conditions, Ujang said, the trip from Padang to Jambi via Jalinsum takes 12 hours. However, when using the current alternative route, the 24-hour trip only reaches Tebo. He estimates that he will only arrive in Jambi City on Saturday (8/3/2025) morning.

Until permanent repairs are carried out, vehicles with loads of more than 8 tons are prohibited from passing because it is still not completely safe.