TRENGGALEK – The Trenggalek government is speeding up a road upgrade project worth Rp 23.2 billion, or about $1.4 million, before the Eid travel season. Officials want the Ngetal-Gandusari route to stay safe as traffic begins to rise.

Workers are still repairing the road between Ngetal, Gandusari, and Kampak. The project will continue after Eid, but local officials now require contractors to cover unfinished gravel sections with temporary asphalt.

Mochamad Nur Arifin said the decision came after a coordination meeting with police. He stressed that drivers must cross the route safely during the holiday rush.

“We asked the contractor to add one asphalt layer on sections that still use aggregate before Eid. That step will help travelers move safely and comfortably,” he said.

The contract for the project ends on May 31, 2026. However, vehicle numbers will likely increase much earlier during the annual homecoming period.

Officials also want to reduce dust from unfinished road surfaces. Dust could disturb visibility for drivers and affect people living near the construction area.

PT Gorga Marga Mandiri is handling the 7.5-kilometer road project under a 150-day contract that started on December 1, 2025.

Nur Arifin said engineers use several repair methods based on road conditions. They apply one asphalt layer on lightly damaged sections and two layers on deeper potholes or uneven surfaces.

They also raise aggregate levels on flood-prone points. That method helps the road last longer in areas where water often collects.

Project officer Endy Aktony said poor drainage has caused repeated damage along the corridor.

To solve that problem, the project team is building a 1.4-kilometer drainage line with a U-Ditch system. The channel will move rainwater away from the road surface.

“We are building drainage so rainwater no longer weakens the road body,” Endy said.

He added that the project has reached 41.7 percent progress. The team is moving 8.88 percent faster than its original schedule.

Contractors still aim to finish the full project by late May 2026. Before Eid arrives, they want every section to receive at least one asphalt layer.

“Our minimum target is simple: all sections must have one asphalt layer so people can travel more safely during Eid trips,” he said.