TULUNGAGUNG – The planned Gondang Bridge replacement in Tulungagung has raised concerns among residents who fear heavy vehicle diversions could damage village roads.

Authorities will reroute trucks and cargo vehicles during the replacement of Gondang 1 Bridge in Gondang District. Residents worry many drivers will avoid the official route and instead use smaller village roads to save time and fuel costs.

Local residents say rural roads in the area cannot handle heavy traffic for long periods. Most roads only support light vehicles and daily community transportation.

Safi’i, a resident of Gondang District, said the official diversion route for trucks would become much longer during the bridge replacement project.

According to him, drivers would need to pass through Durenan, Bandung, Campurdarat, and Tamanan before reaching their destinations.

“The possibility of trucks entering village roads still exists,” Safi’i said on Friday.

He explained that many truck drivers could search for shortcuts through village access roads and inter-district routes. He warned that constant truck traffic could quickly damage local infrastructure.

“The alternative route for large trucks will definitely take longer. Village roads cannot support heavy vehicles because the hotmix asphalt was never designed for that kind of load,” he said.

Residents in neighboring districts have expressed similar concerns. Khrisna, a resident of Balerejo Village in Kauman District, believes the impact could spread beyond Gondang.

He said areas such as Pakel, Campurdarat, Boyolangu, and Kauman could also experience traffic pressure from diverted trucks.

According to Khrisna, most village roads in those districts lack strong structural foundations. Heavy traffic and overloaded trucks could weaken road surfaces within a short time.

“Most village roads were not built for heavy traffic and large vehicle volume,” Khrisna said.

He urged the regional government and transportation agency to monitor truck movements closely. He also called for operating hour restrictions and stronger safety measures for residents.

Residents hope local authorities will focus not only on traffic flow but also on long-term infrastructure protection. Many villagers fear road conditions could worsen quickly without strict supervision.

People living near the planned diversion routes now expect the government to enforce clear transportation rules during the bridge replacement process. They also want officials to prevent severe road damage in rural areas.