Tegal Alur pedestrian bridge construction remains unfinished after three weeks

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The construction of a bridge serving as a vital access point for residents on Jalan Warung Pojok, Tegal Alur, West Jakarta, remains unfinished. Residents noted that the construction of the bridge, which connects access to the market and residential areas, was originally targeted for completion within approximately two weeks as of Tuesday (1/9).

However, as of Monday afternoon, the bridge structure consists only of stone-filled gabions serving as the foundation. One resident, Irwansyah, revealed that work was carried out for about one week, after which construction activity at the site ceased.

“If we compare it to what they (the government) said, they promised it would be finished in two weeks. Yet, it has been three weeks and it is still not done. There was activity when it became a concern, but after that, it was just left as it is,” Irsaid at the location on Monday.

According to him, this situation forces residents to take detours to reach several locations, including the market and the cemetery, which were previously accessible via a bamboo bridge. Irwansyah stated that this access is crucial as not all residents possess motorised vehicles. He noted that walking time to the market can now take up to 15 minutes.

“The residents’ hope is for this bridge access to be completed quickly because it provides a shorter route to the market and the cemetery. If the bridge is not yet finished, the bamboo bridge should not have been demolished so that residents’ access does not become even more difficult,” he added.

Another resident, Anna Haryanti (49), said she is forced to take detours because the primary access bridge is unusable. “It has become difficult for everyone. We have to detour to the market. I do not have a motorbike, and walking causes pain to my feet. The trip to the market has become much longer,” said Anna.

Residents had previously been informed that the bridge construction could be completed within approximately 15 days. However, entering the third week, work has yet to resume. “The promise was 15 days, saying it wouldn’t take long. In reality, it has been three weeks and it is now abandoned. We are all struggling,” she said.

Previously, the West Jakarta City Government prepared the construction of a temporary pedestrian bridge made of wide flange (WF) steel for residents in RT 02/RW 02, Tegal Alur, West Jakarta. The Mayor of West Jakarta, Iin Mutmainnah, stated that the construction of the temporary bridge was estimated to take about two weeks.

The bridge was being built as a connecting access for residents while the project causing the demolition of the previous bridge is ongoing.

“Once agreed upon, the bridge would be built within two weeks. This means the current bridge, which is a temporary alternative made of wood, will be demolished alongside it,” Iin said when confirmed in Jakarta on Tuesday (1/9).

According to Iin, residents still have access via two other bridges located to the right and left of the site where the previous bridge was demolished. However, the community continues to request a bridge at that specific location, as it is considered the fastest route to connect the residential area.