Thomas Setiabudi Aden, an official of the ministry in a written statement received on Tuesday, said that the road network in Indonesia has greatly developed due to the increase in infrastructure and land transportation needs in the 1980s and beyond, as many bridges are between 20 to 35 years old.
"While in Indonesia, with various land conditions that are very diverse, such as swamps and soft grounds, flat and mountainous areas in certain locations, the doubling of bridges has not been carried out, so if in an area there is no alternative road, then if there is a problem with the current bridges," he explained.
For this reason, he said, it is necessary to check bridge conditions and develop a better and planned bridge maintenance program so no fatal accidents occur.
He noted that the bridges, themselves, are an important part of road network systems, both in terms of economic and social activities, along with the functioning of the road itself, such as bridges that cross a river.
"The inspection of the bridge is intended to ensure that the bridge is safe for road users and secures the value of the bridge investment," he said.
The Ministry of PUPR has committed to reviewing infrastructure and transportation facilities, as well as inter-regional connectivity, by ensuring the maintenance of infrastructure.
Previously, the Ministry of PUPR targeted infrastructure development in 2019 in the form of 166 suspension bridges, including using Asymmetric Suspension Bridges for Rural (Judesa) technology.
"The presence of Judesa will simplify and shorten the access of rural residents to schools, markets, workplaces, administering administration to urban and sub-district offices, and access to hospitality among residents," said PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono.
Basuki Hadimuljono stated that the Ministry of PUPR not only builds massive scale infrastructure, but also infrastructure for the public, such as suspension bridges.
In the period of 2015 to 2018, the Ministry of PUPR built 164 suspension bridges.
Meanwhile, Acting Head of Research and Development of the Ministry of PUPR Lukman Hakim said the Judesa Technology Bridge is an innovation developed by the Research and Development Center of the Ministry of PUPR, beginning in 2014.
(INE)
Translator: M. Razi/Eliswan Azly
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
