DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - The rehabilitation of the 7.6-kilometre road between Simpang Parbarakan and Kebun Jagung in Pagar Merbau District, Deli Serdang Regency, has already brought tangible benefits to local residents. The alternative route has reduced travel time to the district administrative centre from between 30 and 40 minutes to around 10 minutes.
Deli Serdang Regent dr H. Asri Ludin Tambunan unveiled a green information sign on the newly rehabilitated road section on Monday, 12 October 2026. The sign serves as an official marker and is intended to promote transparency in infrastructure projects. It provides information about the road's status, the responsible government authority, the source of funding, and the length of the section constructed or rehabilitated.
The Simpang Parbarakan–Kebun Jagung road not only shortens journey times but also provides residents with an additional connection to Lubuk Pakam and Galang. Motorists can use the route to avoid heavy traffic caused by large vehicles on the main road between Lubuk Pakam and Galang.
The rehabilitation forms part of Deli Serdang Regency Government's efforts to improve transport links between communities. In addition to facilitating smoother journeys, better road conditions are expected to support economic activity, education and residents' everyday needs.
Green Information Signs Promote Transparency
Asri Ludin Tambunan explained that the green information signs formed part of a new approach to infrastructure development in Deli Serdang. The initiative is intended to give residents access to essential information about every district road section whose construction or rehabilitation has been completed by the regency government.
"This is the new direction for infrastructure development under my leadership and that of my deputy regent. We will install these green signs on every district road where construction or rehabilitation has been completed. They will display the road's status, the responsible authority, the source of funding and the length of the road," he said.
Making this information publicly available is intended to help residents better understand how public funds are being used and identify the authorities responsible for managing individual road sections. Details of the funding sources also provide insight into the government's contribution to improving regional infrastructure.
Deli Serdang Regency Government also aims to encourage greater public participation in maintaining completed infrastructure. According to Asri Ludin Tambunan, good road conditions must be accompanied by a shared sense of responsibility if the infrastructure is to remain usable in the long term.
He urged village heads to encourage residents to work together to clean the roadsides, particularly by removing grass that could overgrow the verges. Uncontrolled vegetation can reduce the usable road space and make journeys less comfortable for motorists.
"I hope we can work together to maintain the roads that are now in good condition. I ask village heads to encourage residents to take part in community work and clear the grass so that it does not overgrow the verges and narrow the access. Please also keep an eye on road users to ensure they do not use the route for illegal street racing," he warned.
The appeal highlights that the success of infrastructure projects depends not only on the allocation of public funds and the completion of construction work. The government also relies on residents' involvement in maintaining public facilities, monitoring road use and preventing dangerous behaviour on the roads.
RESIDENT WELCOME ROAD REHABILITATION: Residents of Parbarakan Village welcome the rehabilitation of the Simpang Parbarakan–Kebun Jagung road. The improved route shortens journeys to the district administrative centre and offers an alternative to the main road, which carries substantial heavy-vehicle traffic. (PHOTO: Edi Saputra)
Two Road Sections Rehabilitated in Pagar Merbau
In addition to the Simpang Parbarakan–Kebun Jagung road, Deli Serdang Regency Government has completed rehabilitation of the 2.3-kilometre Purwodadi–Tanjung Garbus road, also in Pagar Merbau District. Both sections were repaired using funds from the General Allocation Fund (Dana Alokasi Umum, DAU) under the 2026 state budget.
The completion of both road sections forms part of wider efforts to improve accessibility throughout Pagar Merbau. Better road conditions are expected to make daily travel easier, improve connections between villages and provide additional access to administrative centres and economic areas.
Rahmad, a resident of Purwodadi, said local people had long hoped for a properly surfaced road. He welcomed the rehabilitation work and pledged to join other residents in looking after the newly improved infrastructure.
"We have wanted a smooth road like this for a very long time. Our heartfelt thanks go to the regent for rehabilitating our road," he said.
The residents' appreciation demonstrates the importance of infrastructure projects that address the public's practical needs. Well-maintained roads make journeys more comfortable, facilitate the transport of goods, improve access to public services and reduce barriers to local mobility.
Residents also hope the government will continue developing infrastructure in other areas so that more communities can benefit from improved transport links. At the same time, the public's willingness to help maintain the roads will be crucial to preserving their quality after construction work has been completed.
RESIDENT URGET TO MAINTAIN ROADS: Rahmad, a resident of Purwodadi, welcomes the rehabilitation of the 2.3-kilometre Purwodadi–Tanjung Garbus road and calls on the community to work together to maintain its improved condition. (PHOTO: Edi Saputra)
Transport Links Between Lubuk Pakam and Galang to Improve
The alternative Simpang Parbarakan–Kebun Jagung route also plays a strategically important role in journeys to Lubuk Pakam and Galang. It provides an additional connection alongside the Lubuk Pakam–Galang provincial road, which is also undergoing rehabilitation by the North Sumatra Provincial Government.
Improvements to both routes are expected to make travel easier for residents from surrounding areas. However, road users should continue to pay attention to traffic conditions, road signs and applicable safety regulations, particularly on sections that remain under rehabilitation or have only recently reopened following completion of the work.
Asri Ludin Tambunan stressed that improvements to district roads needed to be coordinated with the rehabilitation of provincial roads. Cooperation between different levels of government in developing and maintaining infrastructure was an important factor in making travel easier for the public.
"We hope that the rehabilitation of district and provincial roads will improve mobility for residents from the various areas who use the route connecting Lubuk Pakam and Galang," he concluded.
With rehabilitation work completed on both road sections in Pagar Merbau District, the regency government hopes to provide residents with more efficient transport connections. It has also called on the public to maintain cleanliness and order along the roads so that the investment continues to deliver benefits over the long term.
The green information signs form part of broader efforts to strengthen transparency in infrastructure projects. Public participation, meanwhile, is expected to help keep the roads in good condition for years to come. Together, these measures are intended not only to reduce travel times but also to strengthen transport links and support socioeconomic activity among the people of Deli Serdang. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Edi Saputra | EDITOR: Fik Sagala