Construction of access roads to toll ways to be restricted

JAKARTA (JP): The government is reluctant to approve the construction of access roads from housing estates and industrial zones to toll roads, a Ministry of Public Works official said yesterday.

"It's not that easy to build roads joining up with the existing highways," Soeharsono Martakim, the director general of highways, said.

Plans to build access roads to highways should not only affect traffic flows around the area abut also conform to many other technical specifications, he said after inaugurating the completion of an access road linking the Pantai Indah Kapuk housing estate and the Prof. Sediyatmo toll road in Cengkareng, West Jakarta.

"Moreover, any access road is not allowed to be built exclusively for the occupants of the respective real estates," he reminded.

"It should be for the benefit of all motorists."

He therefore urged developers to discuss their proposals for constructing access roads to toll roads with the state-owned public roads construction company and toll road operator, PT Jasa Marga.

Soeharsono disclosed that his office had rejected several applications from developers, who intended to connect their projects to toll roads, particularly to the Jagorawi and Jakarta- Cikampek tollways.

The rejections were based mostly on the proximity of the proposed access roads to existing ones, he said, without disclosing the minimum distance.

The construction of new access roads to city toll roads has enabled many people to reach their destinations more quickly and given Jasa Marga the opportunity to collect more fees.

But it has also increased congestion on toll roads due to Jasa Marga's poor planning.

The Rp 18 billion (US$692,300), 320-meter access road inaugurated yesterday was built by a consortium called PT Hutama- Aji-Baraga in three months. It was funded by PT Mandara Permai, the developer of the Pantai Indah Kapuk real estate.

The road is also expected to improve access for residents living in Pluit, Muara Karang, Angke and surrounding areas to the Sediyatmo toll road, which connects Soekarno-Hatta Airport and the city. (bsr)