River Flowing Potentially Threatens Enang-Enang Bridge, Minister PU Requests Routine Control

Minister PU Dody Hanggodo (middle)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo warns of the potential for river currents that can worsen the condition of the Enang-Enang Bridge in Bener Meriah Regency, Aceh Province.

The threat is considered to need to be anticipated through routine supervision, considering that the foundation of the bridge is currently experiencing a slope.

When reviewing the condition of the Enang-Enang Bridge directly on Wednesday, July 8, Dody instructed the Aceh National Road Implementation Agency (BPJN) together with the Bridge Development Directorate to strengthen the lower structure of the bridge while carrying out periodic monitoring of its condition.

Dody assessed that supervision was important, especially during high-intensity rains that could increase river discharge and potentially erode abutments and bridge foundations.

"I ask the PPK to carry out routine checks. If at any time it is judged to endanger the community, the use of the bridge must be temporarily stopped until the conditions are safe again," said Dody as quoted from a written statement, Friday, July 10.

Improvements will continue to be made from the bottom up, so that the public can still cross safely as long as possible.

Based on the results of the technical study, the foundation of the Enang-Enang Bridge from the direction of Bireuen to Bener Meriah has a slope.

Currently, the bridge structure is still supported by three temporary support beams to maintain its stability.

Following up on this condition, the Ministry of PU has assigned BPJN Aceh together with the Bridge Development Directorate to strengthen the structure under the bridge.

The work will be carried out by PT PP (Persero) Tbk using a more permanent reinforcement method compared to the temporary support currently used.

"I have spoken to the Head of the Office and the Director of the Bridge. We will make the reinforcement under the bridge even stronger. What is there now is temporary. Later PT PP will work on the reinforcement with better handling," he said.

During the handling process, the Enang-Enang Bridge is still operated in a limited manner.

Only two-wheeled vehicles and light passenger vehicles are allowed to pass, while freight vehicles and heavy-tonnage vehicles are still prohibited from using the bridge to maintain the safety of the structure.

For long-term solutions, the PU Ministry will also accelerate the improvement of connectivity in the area through the widening of Jalan Werlah and the construction of two new bridges that will become alternative routes.

In addition, the government is planning to build a shortcut lane that will later be able to be passed by logistics vehicles with a capacity of up to around 30 tons.

On the same occasion, Dody appreciated the community's initiative to work together to make temporary repairs, so that residents' access can be reopened.

Even so, he emphasized that the government still had a duty to ensure that the bridge met safety standards before it was used by the community.

"First I would like to thank Mr. Syahrial. We from the central government have been helped. In fact, from a technical point of view, this bridge is no longer possible to use," said Dody.

"However, because Mr. Syahrial and the community worked together to fix it, our task was to provide maximum support, so that what the community has done is not in vain, but can still be used even if it is limited," he concluded.