Dishub DKI warns new pelican crossing at Tendean JPO will slow traffic

The Head of the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency (Dishub DKI), Budi Awaluddin, has reminded road users that the presence of a pelican crossing facility in the Tendean Pedestrian Bridge (JPO) area will slow traffic flow around the location. He explained that the pelican crossing will be equipped with traffic lights for pedestrians, consequently causing traffic to slow down. “Certainly, there will be delays because people are crossing. The pelican crossing must also be fitted with a red light, as this is just an emergency solution; the most important thing is the construction of the JPO,” Budi clarified in Central Jakarta on Wednesday. In the initial operational phase, he mentioned that officers will be stationed at the location so that road users can adapt to the presence of the pelican crossing. “We are concerned that motorists are not yet very familiar with the pelican crossing conditions, and there will also be a red light there,” Budi said. He further stated that the pelican crossing is only temporary. Once the new JPO is completed, the at-grade crossing facility will be removed. “Later, when the JPO is finished, the pelican crossing will certainly be removed. There must be no dualism. We want the public to use the bridge so that traffic flow is faster,” Budi stated. The decision was made based on the results of a meeting and technical studies completed by the DKI Dishub. According to Dishub DKI data, the traffic volume at the Tendean JPO reaches 2,579 vehicles per hour, while the number of pedestrians crossing is 874 people per hour. Budi noted that there are currently three crossing points at Tendean JPO: a pelican crossing in front of Ayam Goreng Suharti at a distance of 383 metres, a JPO in front of the Bina Marga Toll Gate at 718 metres, and a zebra cross at the Gotri U-turn at 364 metres. “Normally, ideally, there should be another crossing facility every 100 to 200 metres. As it turns out, these distances are far, so this crossing is very much needed by the public,” Budi concluded.