A new traffic flow system is on trial in one of Bali’s most congested areas. The new system is aimed at easing congestion and keeping both locals and tourists on the move easily and safely.
However, as with all system changes, something takes time to be established, and in the in-between, sometimes things can get more frustrating before they get better.
Bali’s traffic congestion is no secret and is making daily life on the island increasingly difficult for local residents and undeniably impacting tourists’ experience of the province. The issues, however, are a top priority for provincial figures to resolve. As 2026 gets underway, Bali Governor Wayan Koster has been open about his commitment to resolving this problem for good.
Speaking to reporters this week, Governor Koster shared, “If this traffic jam problem is left unchecked, tourism in Bali could decline. Therefore, I will prioritize infrastructure development to ensure its completion in my second term.”
He added, “The first negative impact is traffic jams, and the second is waste. This must be resolved. This congestion cannot be resolved hastily because it is related to road infrastructure and transportation modes.”
With such a massive problem to solve, it is clear that a multi-faceted approach is necessary, including building new road networks and introducing new traffic flow systems in the worst-affected areas, which just happen to be in Bali’s most popular tourism resorts. Speaking to reporters on 7th January, the Regent of Badung Adi Arnawa urged the public to allow time and space to adapt to the traffic flow changes currently being trialed in the Kerobokan Kelod Village area, close to Canggu.
He explained, “This is still a trial phase. If it’s not optimal, we will prepare other options to address congestion in the area. So, I ask the public to be patient and adapt to this change.” He added, “The Badung Regency Transportation Agency has conducted the first phase of evaluation. We received some input, for example, that traffic congestion on Batu Belig Road has begun to ease, but other roads are causing more congestion.”
Regent Arnawa concluded, “This input will serve as material for our future evaluation. Ultimately, this is all for the public’s convenience. I also encourage the public to provide us with feedback through the Badung Regent’s Contact complaint channel.”
Tourists driving through the Kerobokan Kelod Village area are asked to cooperate with traffic officers who are stationed in place to help keep traffic moving. Tourists are urged to honour the new traffic flow system that is in place, and for the sake of public safety, not to try to follow the old traffic flow route.
To make matters more difficult, Bali is in the height of the rainy season. Localised flooding is being recorded every day in Bali’s top tourism resort areas, including Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Jimbaran, and along the Ngurah Rai Bypass, which connects tourists to the Bukit Peninsula.
Tourists driving on the island are urged to take journeys more slowly and steadily than usual, especially in light of the new traffic systems, daily congestion bottlenecks, and flooding.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday afternoon, South Kuta District Head, Ketut Gede Arta, explained, “The rain discharge is very high. Besides the possibility that the drainage is not functioning optimally, its capacity is indeed unable to accommodate that much rainwater. Because the rain is evenly distributed, flooding also occurred in almost all areas.”
He added, “We have been coordinating since earlier, because along the Ngurah Rai Jimbaran Bypass Road, there is also flooding.”
“We are coordinating with the Road Agency and the Badung PUPR. Hopefully, the rain stops soon so that handling can be more optimal.”
Arta confirmed that efforts are underway to ensure that all drainage channels and rivers in the area are clear to help reduce the risk of future flooding.
He concluded, “Normalization has been carried out in several river channels and drainage channels in South Kuta in stages. Hopefully, this can cover residential areas, so that during the heavy rainy season, the potential for flooding can continue to decrease. Because mitigation measures are already underway.”
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