Governor Mahyeldi Restricts Three-Asdy Vehicles Passing An Alternative Route To The West Sumatra Koto Intersection

West Sumatra Provincial Governor Mahyeldi was interviewed in Padang. (ANTARA/Muhammad Zulfikar).

PADANG - The West Sumatra Provincial Government (West Sumatra) has restricted three-axis vehicles from crossing the alternative Simpang Koto Manmbang-Balingka-Padang Luar route and vice versa to avoid congestion and damage to these alternative roads. "We see and evaluate the alternative route from Padang Luar to Malalak which is not allowed to be passed by three-axis vehicles," said West Sumatra Governor Mahyeldi in Padang, Antara, Monday, July 1. Since the national road of Lembah Anai, which connects Padang-Bukittinggi City, four-wheeled and two-wheeled vehicles to the three-axis have switched to alternative routes, one of which is the Malak route, Agam Regency. As a result, he said, road damage was inevitable due to the high volume of vehicles passing through these alternative routes every day. To prevent more severe damage, the provincial government adopted a policy by prohibiting three-axis vehicles from entering and passing through alternative routes as of July 1, 2024. The governor did not deny that the repair or maintenance of the damaged alternative route would result in a slowdown in traffic flow. Therefore, the public is asked to be patient during the repair period. "We already have a budget and are currently under construction," said Mahyeldi. Governor Mahyeldi said the government through related agencies continues to accelerate the construction of the national road for the Anai Valley which was cut off due to being hit by flash floods on May 11, 2024. "Hopefully around June 20, 2024, the Anai Valley route can be passed by the community," he said. Meanwhile, Izul (31), a resident of Bukittinggi City, said that the volume of vehicles on the Koto Tambang-Balingka-Padang Luar alternative route almost occurs every day, especially in the morning and evening.

"In addition to traffic jams, this alternative road is also relatively small and has many potholes, so it is very dangerous for road users," said Izul.