Major New Traffic Flow Rules Lead To Gridlock In Top Bali Tourism Destinations

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New traffic rules that have come into effect on one of Bali’s busiest roads caused chaos over the weekend.

As drivers adjusted to the new traffic flow, the island was also being hit by torrential rains triggered by Cyclone Seed 93S, which caused widespread flooding in Bali’s top tourism resorts. 

The new traffic flow rules are a temporary measure to help keep vehicles moving over the festive season.

Every year, Bali welcomes more than one million tourists during the Christmas and New Year period, and many domestic tourists travel overland from Java, bringing their own vehicles.

This adds a huge amount of pressure to Bali’s already strained transportation network. While the new traffic flow is currently a temporary measure, there is scope to make it permanent if all goes well. 

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However, all did not go well over the weekend, as viral video footage of the Simpang Sunset Road-Mertanadi-Jalan Raya Taman Intersection shows near gridlock traffic.

Speaking to reporters, Badung Police Traffic Unit Chief, AKP Ni Luh Tiviasih, explained that this traffic engineering is the first step in finding the most effective way to ease congestion in the Kerobokan Kelod area.

“This traffic engineering effort is based on coordination with the Badung Regency Transportation Agency and the Kerobokan Kelod Urban Village. The barriers will begin on Sunday (December 14) at 8:00 a.m. WITA (Central Indonesian Time), with officers in the field installing barriers.”

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AKP Tiviasih also urged the public to follow the latest information regarding the traffic engineering via social media and official government channels. She shared her hopes that road users would adapt quickly so traffic would flow more smoothly. “So, please monitor developments via social media. Perhaps this way, they will better understand and become accustomed to the route changes.”

Speaking to the Head of Traffic for the Badung Transportation Agency, I Made Gede Wiryantara Adi Susandi, told reporters that one of the biggest changes for drivers will be felt on Jalan Gunung Tangkuban Perahu, which now operates one-way from east to west for all types of vehicles. “We’re testing it for a month. If it’s successful and there are no problems, we’ll implement it permanently.”

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Here at The Bali Sun, we know how frustrating it can be to be stuck in traffic while on vacation, especially when every minute counts. While traffic congestion may be worse over the coming days as drivers adjust to the new system in the central south of Bali, in theory, traffic will flow better over time. 

Speaking last week, the Head of Denpasar Transportation Agency, I Ketut Sriawan, noted several points of concern for traffic congestion, including in the Sanur resort area, Living World Denpasar, and a number of other shopping malls in Denpasar City.

Drivers are not being left to navigate this new traffic flow system alone. Tourists will notice an increased number of traffic officers deployed across strategic points and the worst-affected areas for traffic congestion this Christmas and New Year.

Sriawan told reporters, “We have deployed a Christmas and New Year (Nataru) team at the activity center. Joint personnel from the Police, Sector Police, Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), the Regional People’s Organizing Agency (Organda), and the Regional Development Planning Agency (BPTD) are all involved.”

The new traffic flow will be most obviously felt by tourists along Jalan Sunset and around Sanur Port. During peak hours this holiday season, tourists may be directed to park and ride in the Sanur area.

Sriwawn told reporters, “The volume of people crossing through Sanur [Port] is quite high, reaching 7,000. Therefore, we’re mitigating the volume reduction in Sanur by operating Mertasari Pier and Serangan Pier, which have a capacity of around 1,200 passengers. If it’s crowded, Mertasari Pier could be an option.”

He confirmed that Drivers heading to Sanur Harbour and Sanur beach resorts may be directed to park at the Mertsai Beach Parking area and make use of the electric shuttle bus service for the remainder of their journey.