Just as leaders in Bali have confirmed that tourists must brace for increased traffic congestion from September, it has been confirmed that a new underpass is set to be given the go-ahead for construction.
One such underpass will run from the Tohpati Intersection in Sanur to the Udayana University Intersection at Jimbaran.
![Traffic Intersection in Bali Kuta.jpg](https://thebalisun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ambitious-Road-Projects-In-Bali-Set-To-Resolve-Tourism-Traffic-Issues.jpg)
Bali’s issues with traffic congestion are undeniable. For years leaders have been discussing ways in which the issues can be rectified in both the long and short term.
Anyone who has visited Bali before will be all too familiar with the levels of traffic congestion experiences throughout the south of the island especially at peak travel times.
The traffic congestion not only impacts tourists but has a negative impact on local businesses, communities and commuters traveling to and from work.
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The Head of Technical Implementation Unit (UPT) P2LLAJ Bali Transportation Office, Muhammad Sofyan, explained to reporters the reasons why traffic backs up so significantly at these intersections. He shared that the traffic volume exceeds the red light cycle time.
This means that even though the normal red light cycle time is 130 seconds, the amount of traffic that backs up in between cycles cannot be cleared in the time that the lights go green.
The volume of traffic consistently outsizes red light cycle time, so even increasing the timings would not make a sufficient difference.
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Sofyan explained, “We have four methods of arranging intersections from priority lanes, traffic lights, roundabouts, and flyover/underpasses.” The underpass has been recommended by the Ministry of Public Works and Sofyan and his teams will be working to bring plans together as quickly as possible.
At this stage, Sofyan was unable to give more details but was able to confirm that the Bali Transportation Office will be working with the Minster of Public Works to create an ambitious project to resolve the traffic issues in the Sanur and Jimbaran areas as soon as possible.
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He explained, “We had a meeting with the Ministry of PUPR; there will be an increase in solid intersections along the Ngurah Rai Bypass that will be made into an underpass, including the airport horse statue intersection; the Satria Gatot Kaca Statue in Tuban, Kuta, to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport.”
Bali travelers have also been told to brace for major traffic disruptions starting in September as work gets underway for the much anticipated Bali Urban Rail Network.
The first phase of the project will connect Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport with the resorts of Kuta and Seminyak.
![Construction-Worker-In-Bali-Works-On-Metal-Frame](https://thebalisun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Construction-Worker-In-Bali-Works-On-Metal-Frame.jpg.webp)
The second phase of the project will be a circular line connecting Bali Airport with central Denpasar and the resort of Sanur, which has now become a Special Economic Zone for medical and wellness tourism.
Traffic in Bali is almost an unavoidable reality for tourists in 2024; while there are a few tips and tricks to avoid congestion, many Bali lovers feel that it is a small price to pay for the opportunity to travel in the province.
![Beach-Cabanas-on-Sanur-Beach-Under-Palm-Tree](https://thebalisun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Beach-Cabanas-on-Sanur-Beach-Under-Palm-Tree.jpg)
Tips and tricks to avoid the queues include heading out for day trips super early in the morning. By starting day trips at 7am rather than 8am tourists can skip much of the congestion en-route to top attractions and get the opportunity to see these bucket list destinations before the crowds arrive.
As has been the stance of tourism leaders across the province, one of the easiest ways to avoid traffic congestion on the island is to stay in lesser-visited and emerging destinations.
![View-over-Amed-in-East-Bali](https://thebalisun.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/View-over-Amed-in-East-Bali.jpg)
For example, there is rarely tourism traffic in destinations like Amed in East Bali, Lovina in the north of the island, or the black sand beach resorts of Gianyar Regency.
Staying in these resorts gives tourists access to quiet beaches and top attractions, with the benefit of accessing bucket list destinations via roads less prone to congestion.
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Shorty
Wednesday 14th of August 2024
To all the critical keyboard warriors.
What special, suggested or contributory overall solution do you have for the problem(s)?
Or are you just whingeing pissants.
Exp
Thursday 15th of August 2024
@Shorty, No point with all the ideas you are asking for as there are no funds to do anything serious here. The "big project" last year was to tear down (a perfectly good) wall along kuta beach and build a new one to piss poor standard.
Why not ask gov. what happen to all the tourist income?
Josh
Tuesday 13th of August 2024
Yet more pretences that'll never even be looked at.
Boris
Monday 12th of August 2024
A good example of lack of experience in traffic management. The toll road connects with the busy Nusa Dua section of the bypass and immediately cuts down to just 2 lanes to serve the major tourist areas. A simple one lane through the mangrove of about 500 meters would filter traffic to the BTDC and to Tanjung Benoa. Don't worry about the mangrove usage that area is gradually being built upon . Check out the encroachment on the by pass to Sanur also.
arthur
Sunday 11th of August 2024
the equation is simple:
more vehicles = more roads
Randy
Saturday 10th of August 2024
Over tourism, migrants from other islands certainly have a big impact on the Island of Bali. The narrow village roads of the past becoming major cross roads will not reduce congestion. There was no planning or vision from the beginning. Nobody was anticipating Bali to become a leading world destination. Thanks to the movie Eat, Pray and Love, and now everyone including Russians want to come to Bali.
Furthermore, adding to the influx of tourism, the social media frenzy of the decade bring young bloggers and young influencers posting just about anything resulting in over tourism and chaos on the island. Many landowners along the village roads would certainly not step back to give way for larger streets to accommodate a huge traffic load. Take an example of the major wide Sunset road becoming a narrow two lane road leading to Kerobokan, Canggu, Tanah Lot and further up is a major congestion area. Nobody wanted to sell the precious land to give way to the wider road infrastructure. Good luck in solving the traffic mayhem where foreign residents have a desire to live that is now gentrified and certainly will not resolve major traffic problems for today or in the near future. Sigh...
Steve b
Tuesday 13th of August 2024
@Shorty, yes Mr Ron and bugger me too
Shorty
Monday 12th of August 2024
@Randy,
'...Good luck in solving the traffic mayhem where foreign residents have a desire to live that is now gentrified and certainly will not resolve major traffic problems for today or in the near future. Sigh…'
Bugger the foreign residents and I'm one.
We should be well down the list.
Their country, their priorities, their way of doing things.
To expect otherwise is arrogant and egotistical.