Bobby Nasution Proposes Gatot Subroto Flyover Project To Become An Underpass

MEDAN - Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution proposed that the construction of the Gatot Subroto Flyover be changed to an underpass. The reason is that this area is the entrance to Medan from the west which includes Deli Serdang, Binjai, Langkat, and Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, so that from an aesthetic point of view it must look attractive.

However, if it is necessary to build a flyover, Bobby Nasution hopes that the design will be changed like the flyovers built in Jakarta and Bandung.

This proposal was conveyed by Bobby Nasution in a meeting with the Head of the North Sumatra National Road Implementation Center Selamat Rasydi and the Head of Highways and Construction Development for North Sumatra Province, Bambang Pardede, quoted from a written statement from the Medan Pemo Kominfo Service, Thursday, November 11.

Bobby Nasution's proposal reflects the condition of the three flyovers that have been built in Medan, namely the Pulo Brayan, Amplas, and Jamin Ginting flyovers. Apart from unattractive aesthetics, the conditions under the flyover also look shabby.

“If the Gatot Subroto flyover is built like the three existing flyovers, I think it's not quite right from an aesthetic point of view. Because the area is the entrance to the city of Medan so it must look attractive. In terms of function, the three flyovers are very good but from an aesthetic point of view, they are less attractive. Plus in the area, there is a building that supports the economy. On that basis, I propose that an underpass be built,” said Bobby Nasution.

If the construction of the underpass is hampered by technical waterlogging, Bobby Nasution does not refuse if the flyover construction continues. However, Bobby Nasution asked for the design to be changed, like the flyovers in Jakarta and Bandung.

“We reflect on the three existing flyovers, the conditions are stiff, stuffy, and rundown. So it is not feasible to be the entrance to the city of Medan, so it is feared that it will reduce the value of an investment in the area, "said the Mayor of Medan.

During the meeting, Bobby Nasution also hoped that Kol L Yos Sudarso Street, to be precise at Titi Papan/Simpang Dobi Street, would also build an underpass as an effort to overcome the congestion that had been occurring so far.

However, in a meeting with the Director-General of Highways of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR), the road was widened first and then saw the level of traffic so that it could be decided whether an underpass or flyover would be built in the area.

Bobby Nasution also hopes that the Head of the North Sumatra National Road Implementation Center will repair the damage on Jamin Ginting Street, around Tuntungan and widen Jamin Ginting Street, to be exact, from Hairos Water Park to the Medan-Deli Serdang border monument, which is shrinking so that it often causes traffic jams.

The Mayor of Medan hopes that the repairs and widening of the roads will relieve congestion.

Meanwhile, Head of the North Sumatra National Road Implementation Center Selamat Rasydi explained, from a number of requests that Bobby Nasution had submitted to the Director-General of Highways of the Ministry of PUPR, the widening of Kol L Yos Sudarso Street (Titi Papan Street/Simpang Dobi) and the construction of the approved Gatot Subroto flyover.

According to him, the length of handling the Gatot Subroto flyover to be built is around 737.44 M, while the land area to be acquired is 8,558.47 M2. Furthermore, responding to the Mayor's request that the construction of the Gatot Subroto Fly Over is an underpass, congratulations on accommodating it, and will review it again. Because, he admits, what they have prepared is the design of the flyover construction.

"We will survey again if it is possible and from an aesthetic point of view it is more fitting to build an underpass. Moreover, there is a building supporting the economy. For that, we can go down together to the field with experts to see firsthand,“ explained Selamat.

If the construction of the underpass cannot be carried out, Selamat said that his party is ready to change the design so that the Gatot Subroto flyover that will be built later is not the same as the three existing flyovers.

"The flyover that we will build later will be better and in accordance with the aesthetics so that it supports the area as the entrance to the city of Medan. For the design discussion, we can meet again next Wednesday," he explained.

Regarding the widening of Kol L Yos Sudarso Street (Titi Papan Street/Simpang Dobi), Selamat explained that currently, more than Rp10 billion is available for land acquisition.

"The available budget for land acquisition is around Rp10 billion more, we will continue the shortfall next year. For the land acquisition committee, we leave it to the Medan City Government, while we make the payment. After the land acquisition, we will immediately widen the road," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Head of Highways and Construction Development of North Sumatra Province, Bambang Pardede, in the meeting, explained the repair and maintenance of roads and drainage that will be carried out in Medan City by preparing a budget of Rp24,560,000,000.

As for the details, the ongoing maintenance of the Provincial Road Marelan Road Section (Office Intersection-Deliserdang Boundary) is approximately 1.8 Km with a budget of Rp7,200,000,000. Then, periodic maintenance of the Provincial Road Section Ngumban Surbakti-Flamboyan Street-Gatot Subroto Intersection is about 1,7 Km with a budget of Rp10,200,000,000

In addition, Bambang explained, periodic maintenance of the Provincial Road of Marelan Street (Battle Road Intersection – Medan Boundary) along 1.2 km with a budget of Rp5,160,000,000.

Then, the construction of a drainage channel/culvert on Provincial Road in Medan City is approximately 2,000 M with a budget of Rp2,000,000,000.

"We are maintaining and repairing roads, including the construction of drainage to support access to the Mebendaro national strategic area," said Bambang.