Perthnow from Western Australia in an article, Bali traffic – Congestion in Canggu difficult to fix as solutions to traffic crisis stall written by Amy Cavender, focuses on the chronic traffic gridlock that plagues the fast-developing North Kuta area of Bali and the limited options available to officials to ease traffic congestion in this area.
Journalist Amy Cavender points out that many Australians who visit Bali and frequent the popular tourism area of Canggu now encounter traffic congestion that has changed a 5-kilometer journey that once took 10 to 15 minutes into a journey that can now take more than an hour, creeping slowly through a maze of bumper-to-bumper traffic.
In the matter of a few years, Canggu has rapidly transformed from a quiet surf beach dominated by rice fields and agricultural villages into “one of the island’s most sought-after destinations.” The area has become a “lifestyle ghetto” crowded with spas, shops. restaurants and bars that are open virtually non-stop until the wee hours. As a result, the narrow roads that provide access to these businesses are overwhelmed by motorists who have little knowledge of or concern for local traffic regulations.
While regency and provincial authorities are exploring ways with the police to tackle chronic gridlock in Canggu. Discussions to date have uncovered few viable solutions.
Meanwhile, local government and police are closely monitoring the success of a new traffic management system being trialed in Uluwatu, to determine if there are lessons learned that might be useful and applicable to Canggu.
The head of the Badung Transportation Agency, AA Ngurah Gde Rahmadi, has admitted that on-the-ground conditions in Canggu make any major change to the traffic system difficult.
“We’ve discussed possible traffic engineering schemes with the Badung Police. However, conditions on the ground are indeed challenging because the roads in the Canggu area are nearly the same width and are all heavily trafficked,” said Rahmadi.
Rahmadi explained that the area’s narrow roads made introducing one-way systems or diverting traffic particularly problematic, with alternative routes already choked by vehicles during peak periods and the tourist season.
A notorious and popular “shortcut” in Canggu that transects rice fields and connects Jalan Raya Canggu and Jalan Pantai Berawa is now considered inadequate and is suffering from gridlock.
Officials insist they are continuing to review a range of options with stakeholders to improve conditions without merely shifting congestion to a new area.
“We, along with relevant stakeholders, continue to seek the best solution. Congestion in Canggu cannot be tolerated, as the area is a highly populated tourist hub,” Rahmadi said.
He added that any long-term solution to the severe traffic congestion in Canggu requires cooperation among multiple agencies and drivers, with the police expected to play a key role in enforcing any future traffic measures.
While Bali scrambles for a solution, Australians headed for Bali are advised to allow much more travel time when heading out to shop, surf, drink, or dine.
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