Pelican Crossing Replaces Tendean Footbridge, Now Operational

The South Jakarta Transport Agency (Dishub Jaksel) has confirmed that the pelican crossing facility on Jalan Kapten Tendean is now available for use by pedestrians. The facility serves as a temporary replacement for the Pedestrian Footbridge (JPO), which was previously severely damaged.

“The pelican crossing is already usable,” said the Head of the South Jakarta Transport Agency, Bernad Octavianus Pasaribu, in Jakarta on Thursday (30/7).

Bernad explained that the crossing had in fact been in operation since Tuesday (28/7). The works involved the creation of a zebra crossing as well as tidying up the central reservation of the pavement, which has now been fitted with paving blocks. Further improvements to the area have also been scheduled to ensure user comfort.

To guarantee safety, Dishub Jaksel has deployed personnel at the location to carry out socialisation. “Our members are stationed at the site to help accustom passing vehicles to the presence of this new pelican crossing,” Bernad added.

Observations in the field show public enthusiasm for using the facility, although most pedestrians still rely on hand signals when crossing. Some motorists are beginning to get used to stopping, but socialisation efforts continue to be strengthened, as some road users remain unaware of the new facility.

Oki, a project worker in the area, said he has been greatly helped by the pelican crossing. He hopes officers will remain on duty regularly, particularly during the morning and midday peak hours, until the permanent JPO is rebuilt.

According to data from the DKI Jakarta Transport Agency, the urgency of a crossing facility at this point is very high, given that traffic volume reaches 2,579 vehicles per hour. Meanwhile, the number of pedestrians crossing is recorded at 874 people per hour.

Besides this new point, there are three alternative crossings near the site of the former Tendean JPO: a pelican crossing in front of Ayam Goreng Suharti (383 metres), the Bina Marga Toll Gate JPO (718 metres), and a zebra crossing at the Gotri Junction U-turn (364 metres). (Ant/I-1)