Gladak Perak Lumajang Suspension Bridge Closed Due To Landslide

Landslide at Gladak Perak suspension bridge in Lumajang on Wednesday (11/5/2022). (ANTARA/HO-Candipuro Police)

LUMAJANG - The Gladak Perak suspension bridge that connects two sub-districts in Lumajang Regency, East Java, was temporarily closed due to landslides that occurred at several points in the suspension bridge area.

"For the time being, the suspension bridge is closed from Pronojiwo District, where the forest area exits, while in Candipuro District the location of the entrance to the area," said Head of the Lumajang Regency Transportation Service, Nugraha Yudha, quoted by Antara, Wednesday, May 11.

His party will soon hold a follow-up meeting on the location of the suspension bridge by involving the public works department, transportation agency and others while waiting for a study of the results of the landslide material at the suspension bridge location.

The Lumajang Transportation Service has also announced the temporary closure of the suspension bridge access linking Candipuro District with Pronojiwo, due to a landslide, via social media.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Candipuro Sector Police, AKP Sajito, said that there were no casualties in the landslide at the Gladak Perak suspension bridge, but it was reported that a rock fell on the vehicle and the driver immediately fled.

"We report that there has been an avalanche of rocks from the top of the cliff of the Gladak Perak suspension bridge which hit the guardrail and damaged it," he said.

He explained that the cliff above the Gladak Perak suspension bridge is prone to landslides, so rock slides can occur at any time and can endanger motorists when crossing.

"In the north under the bridge there are also two landslide points, but closing the suspension bridge access is under the authority of the East Java Provincial Public Works Office," he said.

Previously, Lumajang Regent Thoriqul Haq and Lumajang Deputy Regent Indah Amperawati inaugurated the opening of the Gladak Perak suspension bridge for the general public on 23 April 2022.

The suspension bridge is only used for two-wheeled vehicles, three-wheeled vehicles and access to emergency vehicles such as ambulances, so that public access in two sub-districts namely Candipuro and Pronojiwo can return to normal after the hot cloud disaster from Mount Semeru.

The suspension bridge built by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) is only an emergency bridge, meaning that it will only be used temporarily before the permanent bridge is rebuilt.