Pelican crossing replaces Tendean footbridge, now open to pedestrians

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The South Jakarta Transportation Sub-agency (Dishub Jaksel) has stated that the road crossing (pelican crossing) replacing the pedestrian overpass (JPO) on Jalan Kapten Tendean is now available for use by pedestrians.

“The pelican crossing is already usable,” said the Head of the South Jakarta Transportation Sub-agency, Bernad Octavianus Pasaribu, to journalists in Jakarta on Thursday.

Bernad said the crossing has been in use since Tuesday (28 July), following the creation of a zebra crossing and the tidying up of the pavement’s central median.

“Paving has been installed on the median; work will continue on the improvements tonight,” he said.

The South Jakarta Transportation Sub-agency has also deployed personnel to raise awareness among road users about the pelican crossing.

“Our members are stationed at the location to help accustom passing vehicles to be mindful of the new pelican crossing,” he said.

It is hoped that the public will make use of the crossing and jointly maintain the facility.

Based on observations at the site, members of the public appeared enthusiastic about using the facility. However, they still raised their hands as a signal when crossing.

A number of motorists were seen stopping when pedestrians crossed via the pelican crossing, although not a few were still unaware of the facility’s existence.

Meanwhile, Oki, a local resident who also works on the project, said he had been helped by the pelican crossing in easing his mobility.

“I’m glad there’s a pelican crossing. I hope that every morning and afternoon there will be officers on duty so crossing goes smoothly, until there’s a bridge again,” he said.

According to data from the DKI Transportation Agency, traffic volume at the location reaches 2,579 vehicles per hour, while the number of pedestrians crossing is 874 people per hour.

There are three crossing points around the former Tendean JPO site: the pelican crossing in front of Ayam Goreng Suharti, 383 metres away; the JPO in front of the Bina Marga Toll Gate, 718 metres away; and the zebra crossing at the Gotri Junction U-turn, 364 metres away.