"In connection with the earthquake in Sumedang District, West Java, on December 31, 2023, and the aftershock on January 1, 2024, the PUPR Ministry deployed a team from the Directorate General of Highways along with the Road Bridge and Tunnel Safety Committee (KKJTJ) to inspect the condition of the Cisumdawu Tunnel located on the Cileunyi-Sumedang-Dawuan toll road. According to the initial inspection, the Cisumdawu Tunnel is currently in safe operating condition," PUPR Ministry's spokesperson, Endra S. Atmawidjaja, remarked in Jakarta, Tuesday.
Atmawidjaja stated that to determine the effect of the earthquake that occurred on the Cisumdawu Tunnel based on information widely circulated on social media, the team from the PUPR Ministry, comprising the Directorate General of Highways and the Bridge and Road Tunnel Safety Committee (KKJTJ), conducted inspection on the tunnel.
One of the important parts examined in the tunnel after the earthquake was the tunnel portal section that was thought to have been affected by the earthquake load.
"Based on the results of the initial inspection, no cracks were found on the concrete surface. The pattern similar to concrete cracks in the tunnel is a pile of dust or dirt stuck to the uneven concrete surface, which looks as if the walls are cracking," Atmawidjaja explained.
Furthermore, to examine the overall condition of the Cisumdawu Tunnel after the earthquake, a specific detailed inspection was conducted by the Directorate General of Highways and the KKJTJ Team to ensure that the tunnel as a whole was safe to operate, including after the aftershock on Monday (Jan 1).
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The Cisumdawu Tunnel is part of the Cisumdawu Toll Road that is 472 meters long. The tunnel is located at Sta. 12+628 – Sta. 13+100, Pamulihan Village and Cigendel Village, Pamulihan Sub-District, Sumedang District, West Java.
The Cisumdawu Tunnel is included in the Special Tunnel criteria as regulated in PUPR Ministerial Decree No. 10 of 2022.
The Cisumdawu Tunnel planning has received recommendations for design approval for construction implementation and recommendations for the appropriate function of the tunnel structure from KKJTJ.
To maintain the optimal condition of the tunnel in serving toll road users, routine and periodic maintenance is conducted as well as annual monitoring by carrying out visual inspections and checking the geometric condition of the tunnel.
The PUPR Ministry has urged the public to be careful while crossing the Cisumdawu tunnel and follow directions from the police.
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Translator: Aji Cakti, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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