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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Energy & Infrastructure

North Sumatra prepares alternative Medan-Berastagi route to ease tourist traffic

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution said physical work on an alternative Medan-Berastagi route could begin in 2027 and finish between 2028 and 2029.
  • The route will serve tourist vehicles and vehicles with up to six wheels, while logistics traffic will continue using Jalan Jamin Ginting.
  • Authorities also plan to widen parts of the Medan-Namorambe-Sembahe route and improve basic infrastructure in Berastagi’s tourist areas.

North Sumatra is preparing an alternative route between Medan and Berastagi to tackle traffic jams that regularly build up before weekends and national holidays.

Governor Bobby Nasution said physical work on the route is targeted to begin in 2027 and finish between 2028 and 2029. The alternative road will focus on tourist vehicles and vehicles with up to six wheels. Logistics traffic will continue using the existing main route, Jalan Jamin Ginting.

The maximum target is for physical work on this intervention to begin in 2027 and finish in 2028 to 2029

— Bobby NasutionThe governor gave the target timeline for developing the alternative route.

The plan aims to improve traffic safety on the main road, which currently serves as the only major access route to Berastagi. The highland tourist city lies about 66 kilometers south of Medan and is known for its cool air and views of the active Mount Sibayak and Mount Sinabung volcanoes.

We want intervention in this area to create an economic impact for local residents, as we did when we revitalized Medan’s Old Town area

— Bobby NasutionHe explained why the government would prioritize basic infrastructure in Berastagi’s tourist areas.

The provincial government is still pushing for the Medan-Berastagi toll road to be included in Indonesia’s national planning blueprint. Because a toll road would take a long time to build, officials are seeking a faster solution by improving existing sections owned by the central government, the province and Deli Serdang and Karo regencies.

Technical mapping has begun for several sections, including the Medan-Namorambe-Sembahe road. At Simpang Poci on Jalan Jamin Ginting, tourist vehicles would turn left onto the alternative route, where the road would be widened from four meters to between six and eight meters. Officials also plan broad improvements around Tahura Berastagi and the Berastagi Struggle Monument, while ruling out large commercial facilities such as malls and hotels. Nasution said the priority was basic infrastructure that could bring economic benefits to local residents.

Starting from the Simpang Poci area on Jalan Jamin Ginting, tourist vehicles will be directed left toward the alternative route, where the road will be widened from four to six to eight meters

— Chandra DalimuntheThe provincial public works official described one of the planned route improvements.
About this summary

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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