Thursday, 03 September 2026
KARO | INDATANEWS.COM - The North Sumatra Provincial Government (Pemprov Sumut) is preparing an alternative route between Medan and Berastagi, primarily intended to serve tourist traffic. The plan aims to reduce congestion and improve traffic safety along Jamin Ginting Road. The provincial government plans to begin construction work on several road sections in 2027, with the improvements to be completed in stages by 2028–2029.
North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution presented the plan on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, during a meeting with the board of the Karo Intellectuals Association (Ikatan Cendekiawan Karo) at the Mikie Holiday Resort and Hotel on Jamin Ginting Road in Sempajaya, Karo Regency.Bobby said the provincial government continues to push for the Medan-Berastagi toll road to be included in the national planning agenda of Indonesia's Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas). However, the provincial government does not want to wait for the toll road project because such a major development would require a considerable amount of time.
Therefore, the provincial government is pursuing an accelerated solution by upgrading and improving several existing road sections. These roads are currently under the authority of the central government, the provincial government, as well as the district governments of Deli Serdang and Karo.The road sections in question will be developed into an alternative route specifically designed to support tourist vehicle mobility toward Berastagi. At the same time, the route is expected to ease traffic pressure on the main connection along Jamin Ginting Road.
According to Bobby, construction work is expected to begin no later than 2027. The overall redevelopment of the route will then be completed in stages by 2028–2029.
"Our target is to begin construction no later than 2027 and complete it by 2028–2029. The alternative route will be intended for tourist vehicles, or vehicles with up to six wheels. Logistics traffic, meanwhile, will remain on the existing main route through Jamin Ginting Road," Bobby said.He explained that dividing the functions of the respective routes is important to ensure that traffic is managed according to the purpose of each vehicle. Tourist vehicles will be directed to the alternative route, while logistics traffic will continue to use Jamin Ginting Road as the main connection.
In addition to upgrading and improving the roads, the provincial government is also planning improvements in tourist areas around Berastagi. Bobby specifically identified the Taman Hutan Raya Berastagi area and the Tugu Perjuangan Berastagi monument as two locations requiring more comprehensive development.Bobby said the provincial government would not turn these areas into large-scale commercial centers. Instead, the focus would be on improving basic infrastructure to enhance visitor comfort while creating economic opportunities for local residents.
The planned infrastructure improvements include street lighting, drainage systems, pedestrian walkways and public spaces. The government expects the improvement of these tourism areas to stimulate economic activity among surrounding communities."We want the improvements in these areas to generate a positive economic spillover effect for local communities, similar to the revitalization of Medan's Old Town area," Bobby added.
The Head of the North Sumatra Public Works, Construction and Spatial Planning Agency (BMBK-CK), Chandra Dalimunthe, subsequently explained the technical mapping of several road sections where the government plans to intervene to support the alternative connection between Medan and Berastagi.
One key part of the plan involves the Medan–Namorambe–Sembahe route. Tourist vehicles coming from the Hairos or Simpang Poci areas on Jamin Ginting Road will be able to use an alternative district road by turning left.The government plans to widen the road from its current width of approximately four meters to between six and eight meters. The 18-kilometer section will also be upgraded to provincial road status.
The widening is intended to increase road capacity and allow tourist vehicles to travel more easily toward Berastagi. At the same time, directing traffic through the alternative route is expected to reduce pressure at several well-known congestion points along Jamin Ginting Road.In addition to widening the road, the provincial government plans to construct an overpass and a shortcut in the Sembahe area. The project includes a new 330-meter road and an 82-meter overpass crossing the national road toward Tandu Benua.
The construction is intended to bypass a steep incline and reduce traffic disruptions that can slow vehicles traveling toward Berastagi.The provincial government is also preparing to build a large rest area in the Suka Nalu area. The facility will be located along a 14-kilometer route toward SMK Negeri Murni.
The rest area will be designed as an open space where tourists can stop and take a break on their journey to the Karo highland tourism region.
The redevelopment of the alternative route will also include the construction of a new 3.8-kilometer road section from Sibiru-biru to the Pertamina area, or Simpang Ketaren.
If all of the planned projects are implemented, the total length of supporting road improvements from Medan to this area will reach approximately 28 kilometers. The government plans to carry out the individual sections in stages, depending on technical requirements and available budget allocations.The plan received a positive response from the Karo Intellectuals Association. Prof. Sukarya Sinulingga, a representative of the organization, said the development and mapping of the alternative route could become an important measure to address longstanding traffic problems that have affected public mobility.
According to Sukarya, there are at least three to four major congestion points that have become persistent problems for both public mobility and logistics transportation between Karo and Medan."On behalf of the people of Karo, we would like to express our gratitude. We are very pleased to hear this news. Naturally, we will continue to support the construction," Sukarya Sinulingga said.
Sukarya also welcomed the provincial government's decision to first conduct technical mapping and develop a comprehensive concept before construction begins. In his view, the alternative route is not only about improving traffic flow but also about supporting tourism and the economic development of the people of Karo.As the next step, the North Sumatra provincial government, through the BMBK-CK agency, will prepare comprehensive technical plans and budgeting for the project. Input from community representatives, scientists and academics from Karo will also be taken into consideration.
Once the planning and budgeting stages are completed, construction is expected to begin gradually in the upcoming fiscal year. The alternative route between Medan and Berastagi is intended to serve as a medium-term solution to reduce traffic congestion while strengthening access to North Sumatra's highland tourism region. (IDNC)REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
/home/u7391150/public_html/indatanews.com/theme/function.php on line 28
