Jl. Daan Mogot - Pasar Baru bridge project commences

TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Tangerang Mayor Djakaria Machmud inaugurated the construction of a new bridge on Saturday, connecting Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta and Pasar Baru.

"The construction of the new bridge is meant to ease frequent traffic jams on the old Cisadane bridge on Jl. Merdeka," Djakaria said, adding that traffic congestion on the street is caused by an increasing number of vehicles to and from Jakarta.

The mayor said due to the rapid development of Tangerang, the local administration will be preparing a comprehensive master plan.

Djakaria said construction of the Rp 1.2 billion (US$556,989) bridge will be divided into two phases. The first phase, which includes the construction and installation of concrete poles, will cost Rp 919.25 million, and the second phase will cost Rp 300 million.

Difficulty

Construction of the bridge poses major problems for the former residents who lived and worked on the site of the new bridge.

Some residents of the Pasar Baru and Gerendeng subdistricts, whose houses have been pulled down for construction of the bridge, worried that they do not know where they will now live.

"I'm staying with a neighbor temporarily because I cannot find a new house to live in," said a housewife, who asked to remain anonymous.

Boat owners, who earn their living by transporting people across the river, said their incomes will be drastically reduced when the construction of the bridge is completed..

"I will lose my only source of income, because people who currently use my boat to cross the river, will use the bridge," said Acang, one of the boat owners. Acang said he earns Rp 10,000 per day. (13/imn)