Flyover, underpass work slow, traffic jams continue

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

All but one of eight flyover and underpass construction projects in Jakarta are behind schedule, adding to the city's traffic woes.

The City Public Works Agency is currently building six flyover bridges and two underpasses for smoother traffic flows at main intersections.

The projects, valued at Rp 170 billion (about $US19.3 million), were expected to take one year to one and a half years to complete but are between two and six months behind schedule.

"I really hope the (Jl. Pramuka, East Jakarta) underpass will be finished soon so I can drive without any obstruction," Gita, a marketing officer, told The Jakarta Post.

"Ever since the project started (in September). I have to endure painstaking congestion," the East Jakartan added.

Before the project began, it took her 45 minutes to get to work in Jl. Fatmawati. It now takes 90 minutes.

She said she had been using Jl. Casablanca as an alternative but it was now equally as congested.

"Taking the toll road is also not a viable option as it is so unpredictable," she said, referring to the traffic jams that often occur on toll roads.

Uus Sumirat, a resident from Kalibata, South Jakarta, complained about the traffic chaos created by the Kalibata flyover project near the Kalibata Duren electrified train (KRL) station.

"The project has been around for more than a year but the bridge is not yet operational," Uus said.

"I am extremely disappointed with the construction because the contractor should have worked faster."

He said minibus drivers stopped at the intersection waiting for passengers from the train, compounded the problems.

"The public transportation drivers are so undisciplined. They endanger not only themselves but also other motorists by stopping on the railway crossing," he said.

Public works agency head IGK Suena admitted all but one of the projects were behind schedule, citing "technical reasons".

"We have to consult with (state-owned train company) PT Kereta Api Indonesia during the construction of the Kalibata flyover as there are electrical lines," he said.

"But we expect the Kalibata flyover to be operational in early February. Meanwhile, the Penggilingan flyover in East Jakarta is already operational."

The Galur flyover in Central Jakarta would be operational by early January, he said.

The three projects began in 2001, while five other projects started in September this year. The five projects are two underpasses at Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, and at Pramuka, Central Jakarta; and three overpasses at Pancoran and Kuningan, both on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta, and on Jl. Daan Mogot, West Jakarta.

The Kuningan and Pancoran flyovers, heading to the Cawang Interchange in East Jakarta, were expected to be operational in July or August next year.

Suena said the construction of flyover bridges heading towards the Semanggi interchange was not a priority yet.

"The westward traffic is not as heavy as the eastward traffic, although the congestion lasts longer.

"East traffic happens only in the evening after work but the number of vehicles is huge. That's why we have prioritized the bridge heading to Cawang," he said.

The agency plans to source money from the 2003 budget to construct underpasses at the Cawang Interchange and in Pasar Senen, Central Jakarta.

Traffic congestion has long been a nightmare for Jakartans. The construction of roadways has not kept pace with the increasing number of road users.

Efforts to ease the problems through the construction of an MRT system has been delayed many times.