Terdampak Kerusakan Pascabanjir Bandang, Jembatan Kembar Margayasa Beroperasi Terbatas

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Public Works (PU) continues to handle post-disaster landslides and flash floods (galodo) which have resulted in damage to the Margayasa Twin Bridge KM 67+000 in Silaiang Bawah, the border of Padang Panjang City and Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra Province (Sumbar).

The handling is focused on a thorough inspection of the bridge structure and strengthening of the Batang Anai River cliffs to ensure the safety and sustainability of the Padang-Bukittinggi national line connectivity.

"After the flash flood, the Ministry of PU through the National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN) West Sumatra has carried out an initial check on the structure of the Margayasa Twin Bridge," said the Head of BPJN Sumbar Directorate General of Road Construction of the Ministry of PU Elsa Putra Friandi in a written statement, Monday, December 22.

Based on the results of the evaluation, there was no decrease in the structural condition of the bridge after the flood, but it was necessary to protect the bridge abutment and pillar that were eroded by the flood current.

For the time being, the bridge is operated with a limited scheme, where side A is opened for traffic, while side B is temporarily closed to support the inspection and security process of the structure.

Elsa added that the inspection of the bridge structure involved a team of structural experts from PT Hutama Karya Infrastructure or HKI and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) as well as the Directorate of Bridges of the Directorate General of Road Infrastructure of the Ministry of PU, BPJN West Sumatra also coordinated with the local government and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

The inspection was carried out comprehensively on all components of the bridge, including the foundation, pillars, abutments, girders to the bridge floor which could be affected by strong currents and landslide materials.

"In addition, the team also assessed the stability of the soil around the pillars and abutments to ensure that there was no dangerous decline or shift," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the HKI Project, Fathoni, said that along with checking the structure, the PU Ministry also carried out handling to strengthen the Batang Anai River cliffs around the bridge.

The efforts include cleaning sediment and debris from flash floods as well as installing geobags as an emergency measure to hold erosion and prevent further erosion on river banks that could threaten the foundation of the bridge.

"We are focused on ensuring that the bridge's driveway is protected from the river's grip. Sediment cleaning and geobag installation are the first steps to keep the structure around the bridge safe," he explained.

Currently, access to the road in the Margayasa Twin Bridge area has been cleaned up and can be passed after being covered by debris from flash floods.

To support the recovery of the land route in the Anai Valley area, two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles of the minibus type are allowed to pass at 17.00 WIB to 08.00 WIB, with traffic arrangements and strict supervision from officers in the field.

The PU Ministry continues to coordinate with all related parties to accelerate post-disaster handling, while still prioritizing the safety of road users.

The results of the inspection of the bridge structure will be the basis for determining the next steps, both in the form of additional reinforcement and permanent repairs, to ensure that the Margayasa Twin Bridge can return to optimal function as the main link between Padang and Bukittinggi.