Dangerous pothole on toll road

There is a pothole the size of a tire about one kilometer away from the Kebon Jeruk tollbooths westbound towards Merak (on the Tomang side). It has been there since the big storm in early March. It is a particularly dangerous pothole, since that toll road is used heavily for industrial transportation by heavy vehicles.

Cars either avoid it, making a sudden swerve or drive over it, causing significant damage to their vehicles or even personal injuries. Fortunately, there have not been any major accidents resulting from the pothole, but I am not going to wait for one to occur. It is an accident waiting to happen.

I used that particular stretch of toll road everyday and -- eight times out of 10 -- I would forget about the hole and make a quick maneuver. At night, a lot of cars drive far above the speed limit and with limited lighting, it is really hard to see that pothole.

I understand the pressure that the toll officials are under. They are doing the best they can to deal with problems involving toll roads that those unfamiliar with their jobs would not understand. The pressure is especially strong when the area is part of the exemplary zone for traffic discipline. Furthermore, there are bigger and far more dangerous potholes on other toll roads or roads in general. My pothole can't possibly be on the list of top priorities. Many roads have not survived the heavy rains. Maybe the ministry in charge of roads should look into the materials chosen to build the roads.

My question is what can we -- the paying customers of the toll road -- do to help with the maintenance of the road. It is our road. Well-built roads are the pride of our nation and the tools of our economic development. I think I speak for all those who travel our roads that we want the pothole fixed. I personally do not mind paying a slightly increased toll fee for a few weeks until the management has enough money and can spare other resources to fix that pothole.

LISTIJANI SASMITO

Jakarta