Flyover, underpass work slow, traffic jams continue<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
All but one of eight flyover and underpass construction
\nprojects in Jakarta are behind schedule, adding to the city's
\ntraffic woes.<\/p>\n
The City Public Works Agency is currently building six flyover
\nbridges and two underpasses for smoother traffic flows at main
\nintersections.<\/p>\n
The projects, valued at Rp 170 billion (about $US19.3
\nmillion), were expected to take one year to one and a half years
\nto complete but are between two and six months behind schedule.<\/p>\n
\"I really hope the (Jl. Pramuka, East Jakarta) underpass will
\nbe finished soon so I can drive without any obstruction,\" Gita, a
\nmarketing officer, told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
\"Ever since the project started (in September). I have to
\nendure painstaking congestion,\" the East Jakartan added.<\/p>\n
Before the project began, it took her 45 minutes to get to
\nwork in Jl. Fatmawati. It now takes 90 minutes.<\/p>\n
She said she had been using Jl. Casablanca as an alternative
\nbut it was now equally as congested.<\/p>\n
\"Taking the toll road is also not a viable option as it is so
\nunpredictable,\" she said, referring to the traffic jams that
\noften occur on toll roads.<\/p>\n
Uus Sumirat, a resident from Kalibata, South Jakarta,
\ncomplained about the traffic chaos created by the Kalibata
\nflyover project near the Kalibata Duren electrified train (KRL)
\nstation.<\/p>\n
\"The project has been around for more than a year but the
\nbridge is not yet operational,\" Uus said.<\/p>\n
\"I am extremely disappointed with the construction because the
\ncontractor should have worked faster.\"<\/p>\n
He said minibus drivers stopped at the intersection waiting
\nfor passengers from the train, compounded the problems.<\/p>\n
\"The public transportation drivers are so undisciplined. They
\nendanger not only themselves but also other motorists by stopping
\non the railway crossing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Public works agency head IGK Suena admitted all but one of the
\nprojects were behind schedule, citing \"technical reasons\".<\/p>\n
\"We have to consult with (state-owned train company) PT Kereta
\nApi Indonesia during the construction of the Kalibata flyover as
\nthere are electrical lines,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"But we expect the Kalibata flyover to be operational in early
\nFebruary. Meanwhile, the Penggilingan flyover in East Jakarta is
\nalready operational.\"<\/p>\n
The Galur flyover in Central Jakarta would be operational by
\nearly January, he said.<\/p>\n
The three projects began in 2001, while five other projects
\nstarted in September this year. The five projects are two
\nunderpasses at Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, and at Pramuka,
\nCentral Jakarta; and three overpasses at Pancoran and Kuningan,
\nboth on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, and on Jl. Daan Mogot,
\nWest Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The Kuningan and Pancoran flyovers, heading to the Cawang
\nInterchange in East Jakarta, were expected to be operational in
\nJuly or August next year.<\/p>\n
Suena said the construction of flyover bridges heading towards
\nthe Semanggi interchange was not a priority yet.<\/p>\n
\"The westward traffic is not as heavy as the eastward traffic,
\nalthough the congestion lasts longer.<\/p>\n
\"East traffic happens only in the evening after work but the
\nnumber of vehicles is huge. That's why we have prioritized the
\nbridge heading to Cawang,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The agency plans to source money from the 2003 budget to
\nconstruct underpasses at the Cawang Interchange and in Pasar
\nSenen, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Traffic congestion has long been a nightmare for Jakartans.
\nThe construction of roadways has not kept pace with the
\nincreasing number of road users.<\/p>\n
Efforts to ease the problems through the construction of an
\nMRT system has been delayed many times.<\/p>",
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