Speed up flyover project: Councilor

JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor said yesterday the completion of the flyover at the junction of Jl. Matraman Raya - Jl. Pramuka, East Jakarta, needs to be sped up to ease the area's traffic woes.

Hasan Daisy of the Commission E in charge of economic affairs, yesterday said the contractor deserved a warning to prevent it from falling behind schedule.

He said congestion at the junction had worsened since construction began several months ago.

Motorists have often complained about chronic traffic jams in the area, especially during heavy rain. Long lines of vehicles are often seen coming from four directions -- Jatinegara, Senen, Pramuka and Matraman.

Susana Deviane, a passenger on a public bus bound for Kampung Melayu-Tanah Abang told Antara she was frequently late for work because of the traffic.

She said it took her two hours instead of the normal 30 minutes to reach her office.

Hasan said all city construction projects should not worsen traffic conditions.

"If necessary, construction work should be done in the evening when the traffic flow is lighter," Hasan said.

Governor Surjadi Soedirdja said infrastructure construction should not lead to complaints of environmental problems in projects which take a long time to complete.

"Every infrastructure development must be completed as quickly as possible, and must not create new problems which disturb people and the surrounding environment," Surjadi said.

He ordered relevant officials, including those at the local public works office, to watch the process and schedule of every infrastructure development. (kod)