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s the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation braces for an exodus during the extended Idul Fitri holiday in mid-June, the government has said that motorists can expect safe and comfortable driving conditions.

The government has completed the development of more than 80 percent of 235 kilometers of functional toll roads, which are part of the Trans Java toll road network. With the changes, it hopes to reduce traffic congestion and provide better roadside facilities.

However, the Public Works and Housing Ministry’s road development director general, Arie Setiadi Moerwanto, urged caution, saying motorists should be careful as there would be temporary lanes and temporary roadside facilities.

Motorists taking the 32-km Semarang-Solo toll road in Central Java are advised to exit through an underpass under the unfinished Kenteng Bridge. A similar route is planned for Central Java’s 75-km Batang-Pemalang toll road, which is still under construction.

“We will conduct several roadworthy tests on the functional toll roads and also carry out road work on the non-toll routes,” Arie said in a press conference on Friday. “At the same time, we will equip the temporary lanes with road markings, street lights and barriers to ensure safety.”

Furthermore, the government will also halt all large-scale infrastructure projects and road work alongside the exodus routes for 10 days before and after Idul Fitri.

Projects along the Cikampek toll road in West Java to be halted include the light rapid transit (LRT), Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway and elevated toll-road projects.

In addition, Arie said his ministry would coordinate with cities, towns and regencies that would be impacted by the exodus.

Garut regency in West Java is expected to temporarily ban public activities, such as roadside markets, and the use of transportation modes that might worsen congestion, such as horse-drawn carriages.

“The administration would give the [vendors and coachmen] incentives so that they will be willing to temporarily stop their operations,” he said.

The Public Works and Housing Ministry revealed earlier this year that it would allocate 57 percent of its Rp 41.6 trillion (US$2.98 billion) budget for road development and maintenance throughout the year.

The Transportation Ministry said the exodus would witness a 16.6 percent increase in the number of private cars to 3.72 million vehicles compared to last year. The number of motorcycles, meanwhile, is projected to rise by 33.3 percent to 8.5 million. Toll Road Regulatory Agency head Herry Trisaputra Zuna suggested that travelers use technology to avoid congestion or busy rest stops.

He said aside from using GPS-based apps like Google Maps and Waze, motorists could use the JMCare app, which was launched by state toll road operator Jasa Marga to provide information on traffic, rest-stop locations and the company’s vehicle maintenance shops along the toll roads.

Another app, iToll, which offers its users access to roadside CCTVs, would be available, he said.

“As this year’s Idul Fitri holiday is longer than in previous years, we hope there will be less traffic congestion as motorists have a lot of time to travel,” said Herry.

To reduce congestion, Herry said motorists wishing to use fully-automated tollgates for the first time would enjoy road-toll discounts.

Herry said the promo would be announced soon after e-money providers reach a deal on the amount, but it would likely be available outside of the exodus’ peak days.