Denpasar closes Gajah Mada roads, diverts traffic via Pattimura

Denpasar — — Temporary road closures around central Denpasar began on Friday, Sept. 11, as the city advanced a redevelopment project in the Gajah Mada area, according to local reporting and city officials. Traffic from Jalan Udayana toward Jalan Gajah Mada was being diverted via Jalan Pattimura while work continued.

Dishub chief I Ketut Sriawan said the closures were needed to give workers space for paving-block installation and related construction carried out by the city’s public works agency. Local reporting also said the restriction covered the route from Jalan Udayana toward Gajah Mada and the junction with Jalan Sumatra.

Roads affected

One of the temporary restrictions was at the Catur Muka area, where traffic from Jalan Udayana toward Jalan Veteran was closed. Another affected stretch was the left turn from Jalan Udayana to Jalan Gajah Mada, continuing toward the Jalan Sumatra intersection.

Sriawan said the recommended alternative for motorists heading from Udayana to Gajah Mada was Jalan Pattimura. Drivers without a specific need to enter the area were also advised to use other routes.

Access and timing

According to reporting published on Sept. 15, the closure was expected to last until the work at each point was completed, with reopening depending on conditions at the site. On Sept. 16, another local report said work was still under way, including paving and drainage-related construction in the Gajah Mada area.

The city’s broader central-area project covers heritage streets and intersections in Denpasar, including Jalan Gajah Mada, Simpang Catur Muka, Simpang Suci and Jalan M. Thamrin, with work staged through 2027, according to separate local reports. Officials have described the works as part of a wider effort to improve the city centre and its pedestrian environment.

For travellers, the practical effect is slower access through central Denpasar, especially for trips that normally pass through the Gajah Mada corridor. Motorists should allow extra time and follow on-site traffic directions.

Key points

• Start date: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
• Main diversion: Jalan Pattimura for vehicles heading from Udayana to Gajah Mada.
• Other closure: Jalan Udayana toward Jalan Veteran in the Catur Muka area.
• Work involved: paving-block installation and related road works.

The closures are part of Denpasar’s ongoing central-city improvement programme, which local officials say is being handled by the public works agency with traffic management by the transportation agency.

Sources

• Tribun Bali
• NusaBali
• detikBali