Traffic congestion in southern Bali has been a problem for drivers and tourists for many years. Every day, thousands of cars and bikes hit the roads, turning a short trip into an hour-long ordeal. However, the Balinese authorities have now announced concrete plans to address the situation. In 2026, four new roads are set to be built in Badung to ease the pressure on key highways.
Badung's Regent, Wayan Adi Arnawa, shared that part of the land for construction has already been acquired, and negotiations continue with the owners for the remaining plots. The roads will be put out to tender afterwards, with completion aimed by the end of the year.
To expedite the process, the government has applied for a loan from PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (PT SMI) amounting to 2.8 trillion rupiahs (approximately 1.65 million dollars). “With this funding, we are optimistic about the swift opening of four new road sections to tackle congestion,” Arnawa noted on January 9, 2026, in Mangupura.
- Pecatu – Melasti Road: connects major tourist destinations in South Kuta.
- Pecatu Village Market – Main Uluwatu Road: eases tourist traffic to Uluwatu Temple.
- Banjar Semer – West Teuku Umar: an alternative route between Badung and Denpasar.
- Subak Sari – Banjar Semer (Kerobokan): road expansion in one of Kerobokan's most problematic sections.
The Subak Sari – Banjar Semer section in Kerobokan is particularly pressing. Local drivers have long joked that you could be stuck in traffic here for hours in the morning, only to do it all again in the evening. This section is now ready for construction, and the authorities hope that new lanes will finally help alleviate some of the congestion.
Traffic issues are among the most serious concerns for Kerobokan. For several months now, a new traffic scheme has been tested on key streets here. Initially, drivers were confused, but local chats and forums increasingly note that the situation is somewhat better than when cars were at a standstill for hours. Returning to the old scheme is not planned — the current one will be "upheld" longer to assess its real effects.
Changes are also planned in the south, in Jimbaran. Authorities have obtained official approval to construct an underpass at one of the most clogged intersections by McDonald's. This project is part of a broader road scheme, and if everything goes according to plan, the area might no longer be known for its "eternal traffic jams."
The work will proceed alongside infrastructure improvements on other roads and enhanced patrols during peak hours. In theory, drivers and tourists should feel real changes by the end of the year.
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