Flyovers, underpasses proposed to ease traffic congestion

JAKARTA (JP): In a bid to ease traffic congestion in the capital, the South Jakarta Mayoralty proposed on Monday the construction of three flyovers and another two underpasses in different areas of the city.

Speaking during a visit by City Council members on Monday, mayor Abdul Mufti said the projects would cost the city administration around Rp 185 billion (about US$19.47 million) and could be completed within two years.

"Due to recent complaints from residents about traffic congestion on the routes concerned, we call on the City Council to approve the proposal so that we can begin construction this year," he said.

The proposed flyovers are located in Jati Padang, Pancoran and Kuningan Barat subdistricts, while the underpasses are located in Pondok Pinang and Lebak Bulus subdistricts.

Abdul said the projects would not require people to sell their land, so that the city administration would not have to spend additional money on land acquisition, and land disputes, which arose so frequently in the past, would not be an issue.

However, the mayor has yet to reveal the details of the projects, which will be submitted for inclusion in the amended 2001 city budget next July.

In response to the proposal, the chairman of the City Council's Commission D on development affairs, Sayogo Hendrosubroto, said the council would review the proposal before deciding on the priority for all proposed projects during the amendment of the 2001 city budget.

"There are other sectors which need more attention, such as flood control and waste management in the South Jakarta area," Sayogo said.

He said the council would consider selecting at least two out of the five proposed overpass and underpass projects, given the limited budget available.

Even though the projects might not need as much funds as other road construction projects, there were also other things to be taken into account.

Meanwhile, head of the road construction division of the City Public Works Department, Amin Tjakraamindjaja, said the city would start the construction of three overpasses worth a total of Rp 50 billion next April.

The first project is a 575-meter-long one-way flyover across the railroad track in Kalibata, South Jakarta. The four-lane flyover will cost Rp 20 billion.

The second is a 635-meter-long two-way flyover across the railroad track in Penggilingan, East Jakarta. The two-lane flyover, which will be an extension of the existing flyover, will also cost Rp 20 billion.

The third project is a 550-meter-long one-way bridge over the Sentiong river in Galur, Central Jakarta, The three-lane bridge will cost Rp 10 billion.

Meanwhile, another four projects funded by the state budget will also start this year. These projects are located respectively near the Cempaka Putih crossroads in Central Jakarta; Pasar Rebo in East Jakarta; Tanjung Barat in South Jakarta and between Jl. Pemuda and Jl. Pramuka in East Jakarta.(07)