City to have more elevated roads as of next year

Mustaqim Adamrah ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 03/12/2008 11:55 AM  |  City

Governor Fauzi Bowo said Tuesday the capital would start a Rp 40 trillion (US$4.2 billion) project constructing elevated roads across all municipalities in Jakarta next year. Six toll roads are included in the project.

"We must understand that horizontal road expansion is no longer a favorable solution in easing traffic jams," he said at City Hall.

"Therefore, we have no other choice except to build more elevated roads."

He said elevated toll roads were also part of a plan to generate revenue for the city.

"We could use more revenue from toll roads to fund the development of other roads, as well as the development of an MRT, the monorail and the busway," said Fauzi.

The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) is a rail system Jakarta has been planning since 1984. Plans to begin construction this year have again been delayed until 2010.

He said, however, more research was required to measure the impacts of the construction, such as congestion.

"Both the central government and the city administration agree road expansion on ground level will not solve transportation issues in the city," he said.

"But we can think of another way to solve traffic problems. We have to carefully decide the locations of the toll road exits and entrances in the design."

Wrong locations of toll road exits and entrances, Fauzi said, would create worse traffic jams.

He also said the money needed to fund the elevated roads project would come from the administration, the capital market, the money market and loan syndicates.

Fauzi said the city would start the toll road construction in North Jakarta because MRT construction was planned for the same time in the south.

The Rp 8.3 trillion ($913 million) MRT project will stretch 14.3 kilometers from Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, to Dukuh Atas, Central Jakarta and is expected to be finished in 2014.

In addition, Fauzi said the design would also calculate increased air pollution resulting from road expansions that consequently encourage more people to use vehicles.

The six planned toll roads

1. Rawa Buaya, West Jakarta - Sunter, North Jakarta 18.6 km
2. Kemayoran, Central Jakarta - Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta 9.7 km
3. Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta - Casablanca, South Jakarta 9 km
4. Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta - Tomang, West Jakarta 12 km
5. Sunter, North Jakarta - Pulo Gebang, East Jakarta 12.5 km
6. Ulujami, South Jakarta - Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta 8.6 km

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Selly (not verified) — Sun, 07/13/2008 - 9:55am

Well I think our gov is in a rush of spending money .. why can they do feasibility study and hoping in the future it would have better result.. Come on man I strongly urge all government plans are well thought for the LONG TERM EFFECT.. think about our children

Dr. Daniel (not verified) — Mon, 05/26/2008 - 10:25pm

Rp40 trillion! What a conveniently huge sum. Everyone knows where half of THAT money will go... The governor has no shame--when will the voters of Jakarta wake up and demand good government?

The Reader (not verified) — Wed, 05/21/2008 - 9:43pm

It is amazing that Indonesia is one of the few countries in the world still build elevated freeways after most of the cities in the world built these during the 60's , 70's and 80's. These roads only make traffic congestion worst. It is a proven fact that if you build more roads you will only create additional traffic demand to fill them as quick as you build them. Nowhere on the planet has building more roads solved congestion. In L.A. they built the most km's of toll roads of any City in the world but never solved congestion, instead realizing the only way to move more people around was to build a rail network. This is continuing today and they have abandoned building more roads. If Jakarta does not build an MRT they will never solve the problem of congestion. Given the increasing oil price due to peak oil, it will be the most costly mistake Indonesia will ever make as car use will be out of reach of only but the richest.

Josh (not verified) — Tue, 03/18/2008 - 1:26pm

Seems like a lot of money to build roads. Any big plan to finally stop the frequent flooding in the city ? It's a shame to see even the President got stuck on the road in DOWNTOWN area of the city due to flood. If people can't get to their destination due to flood all those toll roads will just be a waste. Seems like we need to get the priority straight.

Ferry (not verified) — Fri, 03/14/2008 - 9:29am

It is appreciated if the Government finally is committed to do something on one of the worst traffic jam on earth in Jakarta. However, as it had repeatedly happened in the past, the Government should devise a well integrated master plan on how to resolve the traffic problems. Therefore, this master plan should also include the city space management, environment friendly, people movement, drainage system and the most IMPORTANT thing is how to change people's mentality so that they would leave their cars at home and take the public transportation system in their daily lives. Otherwise, the investment that the Government is going to do in the transportation, in this case is building more toll roads, will only be another wasting money.

John w sharp (not verified) — Thu, 03/13/2008 - 2:18pm

and you thinck well done !you have no shame!
you cannot spend 600 millions dollars to do the public transports monorail system , shame on the gouverment . all that money sould go on public transport and stop cars and polution

Paul (not verified) — Thu, 03/13/2008 - 2:03pm

"In addition, Fauzi said the design would also calculate increased air pollution resulting from road expansions that consequently encourage more people to use vehicles."

People seem to drive in Jakarta regardless of traffic conditions therefore vehicle numbers keep increasing anyway.
Toll roads should be seen as a way to decrease pollution due to efficient traffic flow and reduced time and distance for vehicle users to get to their destinations, not as causing increased pollution.

Motorcycle and bicycle lanes could also help.
Motorcycle lanes on the tollways would have a huge impact on the congestion of the cities roads, although physical barriers would be needed due to the total lack of discipline of both riders and drivers in Jakarta, but it would work if properly implemented.

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