RRI.CO.ID, Bireuen - The Indonesian government has begun construction on eight permanent bridges in Aceh, a move aimed at strengthening infrastructure resilience and restoring connectivity in regions hit by floods and landslides.
Public Works Minister Dody Hanggodo symbolically inspected the Krueng Tingkeum Bridge in Bireuen Regency on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, marking the official start of the project.
The bridges will be built in Krueng Meureudu, Krueng Tingkeum, Teupin Mane, Ulee Langa, Krueng Beutong, Pelang, Mengkudu I, and Pante Dona.
They are designed to replace temporary structures and provide long-term durability against natural disasters. “Each permanent bridge is expected to take eight to nine months to complete. We are building them with careful technical planning to ensure safety, reliability, and sustainability,” Minister Dody said.
The Ministry of Public Works is also repairing 30 landslide points across strategic road networks, including routes connecting Bireuen to Bener Meriah, Aceh Tengah to Takengon, and Sp. Uning to Uwaq.
Additional roadwork is underway in Gayo Lues, Aceh Tenggara, Nagan Raya, and Pameu. Once the emergency response phase concludes, the ministry will continue rehabilitation and reconstruction of essential infrastructure.
Dody emphasized that bridge construction is a priority to prevent communities from being cut off. “President Prabowo’s directive is clear: no district or city should lose connectivity,” he said.
He added that accelerating construction is crucial, even while some areas remain in emergency response mode, to ease traffic congestion and ensure the smooth distribution of logistics.
The initiative has drawn praise from lawmaker Ruslan M. Daud of the House of Representatives Commission V, who commended the ministry’s swift action in addressing flood and disaster damage.
He said the response was vital for restoring community activity and connectivity. “This is not an easy task. The scale of the work is massive, comprehensive, and designed for permanent solutions,” said Ruslan, who represents Aceh II.
He noted that temporary Bailey bridges currently serving as emergency access will be replaced with permanent structures. Plans also include twin or duplicate bridges to expand traffic capacity and improve road safety.
With the construction of permanent bridges and ongoing road repairs, the government aims to ensure that Aceh’s communities are no longer isolated during disasters and that the region’s infrastructure can withstand future challenges. (Naura Sofia/Lasti Martina)
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