Three flyovers inaugurated

JAKARTA: City residents still have to face chronic traffic congestion in many parts of the city despite the inauguration of three flyovers costing Rp 81.97 billion by Governor Sutiyoso on Wednesday.

The governor said that the problem would remain due to the lack of mass transportation.

The three overpasses are in Penggilingan, Galur and Kalibata.

Later this year, the city administration will start the construction of similar projects in Cawang, Senen and Tomang.

Currently, five other projects are still under way: three overpasses in Pancoran, Kuningan and Jl. Daan Mogot, and two underpasses at Jl. Pramuka and Ciputat. All except the one on Jl. Daan Mogot are expected to be completed this year. The Jl. Daan Mogot overpass is scheduled for completion in 2004.

In an effort to deal with the traffic jams, Sutiyoso said that the administration would launch its busway system later this year.

The controversial busway project has been delayed many times as experts have questioned its effectiveness to cope with traffic problems here.--JP