- VILLAGERS feel to have been really helped with the presence of suspension bridge at Antap Kelod hamlet since around 1977
- Other than helping local people, it now becomes shortcut for passers from west regions of Selemadeg to some villages in the east of it
Some people may not familiar with Yeh Otan or Otan River because it is not as large as other rivers like the Unda River in Klungkung or Ayung River in Gianyar. It is located next to Bajera town in Central Selemadeg subdistrict, Tabanan.
Flowing between the area of West and Central Selemadeg subdistrict, it does not only bring in prosperity through irrigation water, but also separates both areas. Well, there has been a bridge built around the occupation of Japan in Indonesia connecting the Antosari village to Bajera village.
In the past, the residents living in coastal areas who worked across the river should walk away to the bridge to cross if the river water flooded. It is okay for those whose house is close to the bridge. What about those who lived away from the bridge or coastal areas, especially at Antap village? Surely, they had to cover long distance. For instance, when farmers from South or North Antap village working on paddy fields at Soka village (in the west of the river), they should go to Bajera through Antosari to cross the bridge. It’s totally about 10 kilometers away.
Thankfully, local government then built a suspension bridge around 1977. The suspension cables were taken from the former bridge over Balian River because the local bridge was replaced with modern concrete bridge. At this new location, the bridge spans approximately 100 meters on the height of around 15 meters above river water.
At first, the width of the bridge was more than one meter whose deck was made from bamboo logs. They were a little slippery and easily come off. It was shaking so that some people are afraid of passing it. Later on, it was narrowed and the deck was replaced with wood topped with metal pieces. Meanwhile, each end at left and right side is strengthened with cable stretch so as not to shake. Uniquely, this suspension bridge has now been so useful for local people and commuter workers who work around Tabanan and southern Badung. This facility is also taken advantage by tourists staying at villas or hotels in those tourist areas when wishing to surf in Balian Beach or Medewi Beach.
Meanwhile, in the past the pool under the bridge remained deep, the suspension cable of the bridge was taken advantage by young people to jump. Today, this attraction is no longer possible because the river’s pool is getting shallower.
