Pramono Claims Dukuh Atas 'Doughnut Ring' Bridge Will Ease Sudirman Congestion

Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung is confident that the construction of the Dukuh Atas Pedestrian Deck, popularly dubbed the ‘doughnut ring’, will help alleviate congestion in the Jalan Jenderal Sudirman area and its surroundings. The infrastructure, targeted for completion by 2028, will connect six transport modes within a single integrated zone. Pramono stated that congestion in the Dukuh Atas area has been partly triggered by passengers boarding and alighting vehicles at the roadside to switch transport modes. According to him, the pedestrian deck will enable intermodal transfers via elevated walkways, thus no longer disrupting the traffic flow below. “It can be guaranteed that it will reduce congestion. Because almost every afternoon, or during drizzle or rain every morning, many people get off at the roadside and this disrupts the traffic here,” Pramono said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Dukuh Atas Pedestrian Deck in Central Jakarta on Sunday (21/6). He assessed that once the infrastructure is operational, the public will prefer using the walkways directly connected to various transport modes rather than switching via the main road. “If this pedestrian deck is available, people will no longer go down to the street level; they will certainly use the elevated walkway. Those heading to the MRT, Airport Train, or LRT will definitely find it easier because everything is connected above. Therefore, I am confident it will reduce congestion here,” he stated. The Dukuh Atas Pedestrian Deck will form part of the transit-oriented development (TOD) in central Jakarta. Pramono explained that the facility will eventually link six transport modes: the Jakarta MRT, Jakarta LRT, Jabodebek LRT, KRL Commuter Line, Airport Train, and TransJakarta. “Thus, Dukuh Atas will have the MRT, LRT operated by both the Jakarta Provincial Government and the central government, then the Airport Train, TransJakarta, and KCI (KRL). So there are six modes,” Pramono said. According to him, the integration of these six modes will create a seamless mobility concept, allowing the public to switch transport without having to exit onto the main road or be exposed to the weather. Beyond serving as a transport hub, Pramono also revealed that the area has the potential to be equipped with supporting facilities such as a city check-in area and immigration services for airport train users. The Jakarta Provincial Government also plans to launch a competition to determine the official name for the pedestrian deck, which is currently better known as the ‘doughnut ring’ due to its circular shape. Regarding funding, PT MRT Jakarta President Director Tuhiyat stated that the project’s construction is entirely financed by MRT Jakarta. However, the investment value of the project has not yet been announced. “Funding for this project’s construction is entirely from MRT Jakarta. We will announce the value later,” Tuhiyat said on the same occasion. Pramono added that the financing comes from MRT Jakarta, a regionally owned enterprise (BUMD) belonging to the Jakarta Provincial Government. Thus, the source of funds ultimately originates from the regional company, the majority of whose shares are owned by the Jakarta Provincial Government, including through regional capital injections provided to MRT Jakarta. Initially, Pramono hoped the project could be completed in time for Jakarta’s 500th anniversary celebrations in June 2027. However, after considering the construction process, the completion target is expected to be pushed back to 2028. The construction of the pedestrian deck was inspired by a similar concept in Japan, which previously served as a reference in the project’s initial study. “But the main point is that hopefully the shape will be very visible later,” Pramono said.