Bali Government Gives Green Light To Major New Roads In Tourism Hotspot

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Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster and other provincial leaders have given the go-ahead to fund a new underpass in one of the island’s most congested traffic areas.

The new underpass will be built at the McDonald’s Jimbaran Intersection and is set to change the game for both local residents and tourists.

The Badung Regency Government, with the support of the Bali Provincial Government and the Central Government, is set to transform the McDonald’s Jimbaran intersection into an underpass integrated with the South-West Ring Road to help ease traffic congestion in southern Badung.

The areas set to see the biggest benefits from this project are Jimbaran, Kuta, and Uluwatu. One of the biggest impacts is expected to be observed at the Nirmala-GWK intersection in Ungasan, close to the resort area of Uluwatu. The new underpass intersection will also impact traffic flow through to Sanur, Nusa Dua, and central Denpasar.

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The project was given the final green light from the authorities on Monday, 4th August, and is set to be formally started in 2026. The update was confirmed by the Regent of Badung, Wayan Adi Arnawa, when delivering a speech on the Government’s Response to the General Views of the Factions regarding the Draft Regional Regulation on the 2025–2029 Badung Regency Universal RPJMD. 

Regent Arnawa announced, “The plan for the Jimbaran McDonald’s intersection underpass has been coordinated with the Road Agency (BBPJN East Java–Bali) and the Director General of Highways (Ministry of Public Works).”

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Regent Arnawa confirmed that he has received direction from Bali Governor Wayan Koster to immediately execute the Jimbaran McD intersection underpass plan. Koster’s order was for the construction plan to be accommodated in the 2026 Regional Budget because it is included in the priority work of the Bali Provincial Government.

He shared that the Jimbaran McDonald’s Intersection underpass plays a crucial role in supporting the South-West Ring Road Project in Benoa, Ungasan, Kutuh, Pecatu, Jimbaran–Kerobokan, Tibubeneng, Abiansemal, which is set to be completed by the end of 2026.

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Regent Arnawa explained that the intersection and underpass network must be given close attention to ensure that the traffic flows effectively from all angles at all times.

He shared, “The legs of the ring road must be given attention. Don’t let the road on the west ring be smooth, but when it reaches its legs at Simpang Kali, also at the Jimbaran Intersection, there is congestion.”

Regent Arnawa revealed that the Badung Regency Government alone has assigned IDR 100 billion for the project, with more funds generated from a number of sources from different levels of government.

He shared, “Hopefully, it will happen. We have prepared a budget of IDR 100 billion, the province will provide IDR 50 billion, and God willing, the central government will provide IDR 200 billion. So, hopefully, we can realize the Simpang McD underpass by 2026.”

It is not only big changes happening in Jimbaran, but over in Sanur and up in Ubud too. Local leaders in Sanur have been changing the way traffic flows within the resort area and around the Sanur Harbour area, too. Spokesman for the Sanur Traditional Village, Ida Bagus Oka Widiadnya, told reporters that two new lanes have been opened to help manage traffic flow in the Matahari Terbit Beach and Bangsal Beach areas. 

He told reporters, “From the direction of Kuta, Canggu, and the Bukit or the west direction, you can go straight to the Warung Mak Beng route, from there, there is a drop zone to the port. From the east, Gianyar, Ubud, Karangsem, and others can enter through Jalan Matahari Terbit to the port, which can reduce congestion.”

Up in Ubud, leaders have this week confirmed that a major road widening project will be launched to help tackle traffic congestion at the Arjuna Statue Intersection.

The planned widening of the road is 3-4 meters, which can only be achieved by demolishing a number of buildings on Ambengan Street, including Bale Banjar Ambengan.