Phase III Traffic Switch Triggers Gridlock on Key Ubud Streets

Ubud — Gianyar’s Transport Department introduced Phase III of a new traffic scheme in central Ubud on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, converting several key streets to one-way operation, but the first day of the trial triggered severe congestion lasting more than four hours according to multiple local reports.

The one-way changes were rolled out as an experiment to ease chronic jams at major junctions in the popular tourist town, including the intersection by the Arjuna statue. Local media described gridlock stretching from midday into the evening on 8 September along Jalan Monkey Forest, Jalan Hanoman, Jalan Raya Ubud and around the Arjuna statue, with traffic reportedly at a standstill in parts of the center.

Key roads affected by Phase III

Under Phase III, Gianyar’s Transport Department shifted several previously two-way streets to one-way traffic in and around the central Ubud area. According to official and local media reports, the core changes were:

• Jalan Raya Pengosekan: converted from two-way to one-way northbound toward the Monkey Forest intersection, with vehicles no longer permitted to turn onto Jalan Made Lebah at the Pengosekan–Made Lebah junction.
• Jalan Raya Ubud: set to one-way eastbound from the Monkey Forest area through to the Ambengan traffic light near the Arjuna statue, with entry from Jalan Cok Gede Rai onto Jalan Raya Ubud closed.
• Jalan Sukma Kesuma: changed to one-way from south to north toward the Dalem Puri area and Jalan Raya Ubud.
• Jalan Jatayu: made one-way from east to west from Puri Peliatan toward Jalan Sugriwa and the town center.

Local outlets also reported related adjustments on nearby streets, including restrictions on turns at key intersections to support the new one-way flow. The measures were part of a broader series of traffic engineering stages in Ubud, with Phase III following earlier trials that had already introduced one-way systems on other central streets such as Jalan Monkey Forest and Jalan Hanoman.

Congestion and impact on drivers

On the first day of Phase III, 8 September 2026, Gianyar’s transport officials and local reporters documented significant knock-on congestion. Traffic backups were reported on Jalan Monkey Forest, Jalan Hanoman, Jalan Raya Ubud and the approaches to the Arjuna statue intersection, with queues described as lasting more than four hours during the afternoon and evening.

Local coverage noted that some drivers were unfamiliar with the new patterns and missed turn restrictions, contributing to delays around major junctions. Ride-hailing drivers interviewed by community news outlets said longer travel times in the central area pushed up fares on affected routes, while some visitors on scooters reportedly struggled to navigate changed directions and closures on their usual routes.

Reports also highlighted that banning turns from Jalan Raya Pengosekan onto Jalan Made Lebah pushed more vehicles onto alternative streets, adding pressure on nearby segments of the network.

Suggested routes and current status

To avoid jams near the Arjuna statue, drivers approaching Ubud from Gianyar, Sukawati or Bangli were advised by local media and officials to bypass the statue and continue west via Simpang Kalah and Jalan Made Lebah, using outer corridors if they did not need to enter the town center.

Community reports in mid-September noted that navigation apps might not yet reflect the revised directions, recommending that motorists follow temporary signage, lane markings and instructions from officers at intersections rather than relying only on digital maps during the adjustment period.

Subsequent coverage indicated that the Phase III configuration was under evaluation after causing heavy congestion and that authorities considered reverting to the earlier Phase II scheme to improve flow in central Ubud. However, available reports do not clearly state the precise street-by-street arrangements in place on Sunday, 20 September 2026, or whether Phase III remained fully in force on that date.

Sources

• Bali.live
• Bali Forum
• Bali Post
• NusaBali
• Detik Bali
• Tribun Bali
• Gobaligo
• Bali Konten