PORTALJABAR, BEKASI REGENCY - The construction of an 80-meter suspension bridge in Cilodong Hamlet, Ridomanah Village, Cibarusah District, Bekasi Regency, is an effort to support residents' mobility in carrying out their daily activities.

Acting Regent of Bekasi, Dr. Asep Surya Atmaja, stated that the infrastructure development is expected to provide direct benefits to the community, particularly in facilitating access that was previously hampered by regional conditions.

"We've seen the conditions on the ground firsthand. The most important thing is that this development will provide benefits and make it easier for the community to carry out their activities," said Asep during a site inspection on Monday (August 10, 2026).

According to him, infrastructure development needs to be directed towards the needs of the community so that its existence not only serves as a link between regions, but is also able to support community activities.

"With this development, we hope that public access will become easier and that residents will feel the benefits directly," he said.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the 0509/Bekasi Regency Military District, Lieutenant Colonel Inf. Michael Ronald Simbolon, said that the bridge construction took almost two months, involving Indonesian Army soldiers and the local community.

"This bridge is 80 meters long and one of the longest in Bekasi Regency. The construction took almost two months, involving Indonesian Army soldiers and the community," said Michael.

The existence of the bridge is a solution for residents who previously had to cross waterways and faced obstacles when it rained or flooded, including when transporting agricultural products.

"People have been complaining about access issues, including having to navigate waterways and sometimes flooding, especially when transporting agricultural products. So we're providing assistance through this program," he said.

Apart from the bridge, development at this location also provides other benefits after discovering a water source that can be used for community needs.

"Thank God, we found a water source at this construction site. Because the Cibarusah area is known for its rice fields, and water is scarce during the dry season, we're using this water for the community," he said.

The water source was then supported by the construction of MCK facilities as part of utilizing the available facilities for the needs of local residents.

"We're also building public toilets. Perhaps this is a concern because the water we find can be used by the community," he said.

Michael explained that the construction was part of a bridge construction program that included several types of construction in Bekasi Regency.

"In Bekasi Regency, there are three types of bridges: suspension bridges, concrete bridges, and Aramco bridges. Six suspension bridges, six concrete bridges, and eight Aramco bridges have been built," he said.

The construction of the bridge, which directly involves the community, is expected to strengthen access for residents and support economic activities, especially the mobility of agricultural products.

"We are carrying out the construction process together with the community, because the community has directly experienced the difficulty of access at this location," he said.

(Bekasi Regency Communications and Information Service/rka)