West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi to Revamp Soekarno-Hatta Road, Enlists Bank BJB for Footbridges
West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has stated that his administration is ready to overhaul Jalan Soekarno-Hatta, including installing street lighting and signage, and will involve regional development bank Bank Jabar Banten (BJB) to build much-needed pedestrian footbridges (JPO).
Dedi explained that for Jalan Soekarno-Hatta in Bandung, which is now considered highly dangerous, the West Java Provincial Government has actually sent a letter to the Ministry of Public Works requesting that its management be handed over to the Bandung City Government, similar to Jalan Pasteur which is currently managed and organised by the provincial government.
“However, if this handover to the Bandung City Government is too slow, because this concerns strategic aspects, I will immediately ask the Public Works Agency to send another letter so that Soekarno-Hatta is handed over to the West Java Provincial Government,” Dedi said in Bandung on Wednesday.
Regarding the addition of more representative public street lighting (PJU) to brighten the 18.4-kilometre road, Dedi Mulyadi is targeting its implementation within one month. “For the installation of PJU, it won’t take long. Within one month, the entire Soekarno-Hatta Road will have PJU installed and be lit up,” he stated.
Concerning the critical lack of footbridges along Jalan Soekarno-Hatta, Dedi admitted there is no budget allocation from the West Java Provincial Government for this. However, he promised to collaborate with various parties, such as regional development bank BJB, and is targeting completion this year. “Even though there is no allocation, we can request cooperation funds, for example from BJB. There will be a BJB sign on the footbridge. God willing, we will build it this year because it concerns safety,” he said.
The move follows a call from West Java DPRD member Tedy Rusmawan, who urged the provincial government under Governor Dedi Mulyadi’s leadership to address the alarming dangers on Jalan Soekarno-Hatta. Tedy explained that the road, which stretches across the south of Bandung City from Cibereum in the west to Cibiru in the east, has a high level of danger due to minimal street lighting and signage, leading to accidents and muggings. He noted that the danger is experienced not only by motorists but also by pedestrians due to the lack of footbridges along the 18.4-kilometre road.
Meanwhile, the Bandung City Government has confirmed it will build two footbridges on Jalan Soekarno-Hatta to improve safety and access. Mayor Muhammad Farhan said the two new footbridges will be built at strategic locations to support safe access for students, specifically in front of SMKN 7 and SMKN 9. He added that the construction of other footbridges along the road will be further coordinated with the West Java Provincial Government and the central government.