Traffic jams are to be expected during the return of workers who went back to their hometowns for Idul Fitri. The National Traffic Police predicted that traffic would peak on June 19 and 20 and on June 24.
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ANTARA FOTO/OKY LUKMASYAH
Vehicles are stuck in traffic on Java\'s northern coastal road (Pantura) in Tegal, Central Java, Sunday (17/6/2018). On the second day after the Lebaran festivity, the number of vehicles headed from Central Java to Jakarta on the Pantura began to increase, causing traffic jams of up to five kilometers.
SALATIGA, KOMPAS – Traffic jams are to be expected during the return of workers who went back to their hometowns for Idul Fitri. In Central Java, motorists can expect traffic jams at Salatiga’s Kali Kenteng bridge and Batang’s Kalikuto bridge, among other spots.
Rest areas on toll roads, near the Cikarang Utama toll gate, in Nagreg, Bandung regency and on the Cileungi toll gate, may also see traffic surges. The police have prepared traffic diversion plans to reduce traffic snarls, especially at the peak of the return journey period.
The National Traffic Police predicted that traffic would peak on June 19 and 20 and on June 24.
“Around 70 percent of holidaymakers are expected to return in the first wave [on June 19 and 20],” National Traffic Police chief Insp. Gen. Royke Lumowa told Kompas on Sunday (17/6/2018).
Royke said traffic snarls were more likely to occur on the return journey. This is due to the fewer travel time options available to holidaymakers during the return period compared to the homecoming period.
Travelers have eight days during the homecoming period before Idul Fitri to travel from major cities to their hometowns. In comparison, there are only four days of common leave after Idul Fitri before most motorists need to go back to work.
Civil servants are expected to return to work on Thursday (21/6).
“We will anticipate possible traffic snarls on toll and regular roads as most motorists will head back to major cities at the same time,” Royke said.
The police have also requested toll road managers to add toll gates heading to Jakarta to reduce traffic jams.
“Rest areas on the Palimanan-Kanci [Cipali] at Cikampek toll roads will be temporarily closed once they reach full capacity,” Royke explained.
He urged holidaymakers heading back to Jakarta to allocate extra travel time to prevent being stuck in traffic for too long.
Travel outside of June 19 and 20
In Surakarta, Central Java, the Colomadu-Salatiga functional toll road will be used to accommodate homecoming traffic starting from Monday (18/6/2018). The 32-kilometer functional toll road will be opened for 24 hours.
“Starting from Monday at 6 a.m., the functional toll road will only serve traffic going from east to west, heading to Jakarta,” Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono said in Surakarta.
Condro said he predicted the homecoming traffic will peak on June 19 and 20. Holidaymakers can pass through the Surakarta-Boyolali-Salatiga national road and the Colomadu-Salatiga functional toll road.
“Motorists do not need to worry about going through the uphill section at the Kali Kenteng bridge construction project on the Colomadu-Salatiga functional toll road. The inclination of the uphill section is only 7.2 to 7.4 degrees, instead of 57 degrees as was widely reported on social media,” Condro explained.
On the Cipali toll road, traffic surges have occurred. The toll road’s operator, PT Lintas Marga Sedaya (LMS), recorded an average of 1,440 vehicles heading to Jakarta per hour between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday. This is higher than the daily average on Saturday of 834 vehicles per hour.
“Homecoming traffic will continue to surge until four days after Idul Fitri [June 20]. We urge motorists to arrange their travel accordingly. It is better to avoid June 19 and 20,” LMS operational general manager Suyitno said.
On Cikampek toll road, Kilometer 66 is among the spots where traffic jams may occur. This is the meeting point of traffic from the Cipali and Cipularang toll roads. Several rest areas in the vicinity may also contribute to traffic jams.
Sunny weather
Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) weather prediction and early warning division head Ramlan said weather in Central Java and East Java during the peak of the return travel period would be partly cloudy in general. Temperature will be 22 to 34 degrees Celsius. Between Batang and Pemalang, temperature will be 25 to 34 degrees Celsius.
“Coastal areas will probably be hot with temperatures of up to 35 degrees Celsius,” he said.
In Garut, the West Java Police said it would monitor traffic surges on the southern route. West Java Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Supratman said regions in southern West Java prone to traffic jams include Gentong, Limbangan, Nagreg and Cileunyi.
“If traffic jams occur, a contraflow traffic scheme will be implemented,” Supratman said.
Motorists using the alternative route between Garut and Bandung, namely through Jl. Raya Cijapati and Kamojang route, should obey directions and exercise caution. This is because the two routes are twisty and have many uphill and downhill sections. Some of these sections have sharp inclination.
