Severe Traffic Out of Jakarta

Kompas/Nikson Sinaga

An officer directs drivers onto an overpass that is still under construction on the Tegal-Cilacap road, Paguyangan district, Brebes regency, Central Java, on Thursday (22/6). Even though the overpass has not been completed, it has been temporarily opened to allow homeward-bound Lebaran traffic to avoid a level railway crossing.

BREBES, KOMPAS – Homebound travelers departing from Jakarta at nearly the same time on Thursday night (22/6) caused severe traffic congestion in the capital. The line of vehicles from Slipi-Cawang to Bekasi barely moved, as the main access out of Jakarta appears to have been gridlocked.

The main cause of the traffic jam, especially around the Bekasi and Karawang rest areas, was the sheer volume of homebound travelers wanting to rest, eat and refuel their vehicles. The long queue of vehicles entering the rest areas caused severe congestion on toll roads, including the Jakarta Inner City toll road.