Pontianak (ANTARA) \u2013 The duplicate Kapuas I Bridge in Pontianak, West\nKalimantan, is being prepared for use by heavy vehicles to support the\nsmooth distribution of goods and reduce traffic pressure in the Tanjung\nRaya area.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first priority is to consider traffic flow and safety,\u201d\nPontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono said in Pontianak on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Edi said the decision to open the duplicate bridge followed\ndiscussions by the West Kalimantan Traffic Forum and the West Kalimantan\nProvincial Transport Agency, taking into account traffic conditions and\nthe needs of freight transport, including fuel, clean water and waste\nservices.<\/p>\n
The old Kapuas I Bridge remains closed to vehicles weighing more than\neight tonnes. One of its piers was previously struck by a barge, and an\nassessment found that the structure could not safely carry vehicles of\nthat weight.<\/p>\n
The newer duplicate bridge, meanwhile, is considered to have no\nstructural capacity issues that would prevent it from carrying heavy\nvehicles. However, authority to determine the permitted vehicle weight\nrests with the head of the National Road Implementation Agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe second consideration is the recommendation from the head of the\nagency on whether the bridge can be used. The authority to determine the\nweight limit for vehicles crossing it lies with the head of the National\nRoad Implementation Agency,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Edi said rules for heavy vehicles would cover weight, vehicle length\nand height limits. Operating times would also be regulated to ensure\nthat opening the route did not cause traffic to build up in Tanjung Raya\nI, an area that frequently experiences congestion.<\/p>\n
He said heavy vehicles travelling from the port to warehouses in\nAmbawang and Ayani Dua needed a faster distribution route.\nCargo-handling operations at the river port are one source of\nheavy-vehicle traffic in Pontianak.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why I have always said this needs to be put into operation\nquickly, so the burden heavy vehicles place on Pontianak does not get\nworse, with queues and so on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Edi said the arrangements had entered the implementation and trial\nphase. The Transport Agency or the Traffic Forum team would manage the\ntraffic and assess the measures based on conditions on the ground.<\/p>\n
He added that urban transport systems are dynamic, so vehicle rules\ncan be adjusted to reflect traffic flows. Decisions on operating times\nand heavy-vehicle movements can therefore be reviewed if the\narrangements create new problems.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrioritising safety and smooth traffic flow is what matters most,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
In the longer term, Edi said Pontianak needed broader transport\ninfrastructure development, including an outer ring road, a toll road\nand higher-capacity roads, to accommodate the growth of economic\nactivity and logistics movements in West Kalimantan.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/duplicate-kapuas-i-bridge-begins-opening-to-heavy-vehicles-1791453307", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }