During the Redevelopment of JPO Tendean, the DKI Provincial Government Prepares Pelican Crossing 

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government will build a pelican crossing on Jalan Kapten Tendean, South Jakarta, as a temporary crossing facility after the Pedestrian Crossing Bridge (JPO) at the location was damaged by a truck.

The facility is targeted to be used in one to two weeks, while waiting for the reconstruction of the JPO which is still hampered by funding.

Head of the DKI Jakarta Transportation Office Budi Awaluddin ensured that the Tendean JPO would still be rebuilt. However, because the bridge construction process takes time, Dishub chose to prepare a pelican crossing so that pedestrians still have access to a safe crossing.

"Because of the condition of the road there, where the traffic volume is 2,579 vehicles per hour and the number of pedestrians crossing is 874 people per hour. Therefore, while waiting for the construction, we will make the pelican crossing," said Budi in Central Jakarta, Wednesday, July 22.

According to Budi, the study on the construction of the pelican crossing has been completed. Currently, Dishub is waiting for the Road Construction Agency to complete the demolition of the park, the central sidewalk, and the road barrier fence so that the work can begin immediately.

"Well, we have made the study and it is finished. So we are waiting for Bina Marga to open the park and also open the sidewalk in the middle for us to make a pelican crossing. If it is opened by them, at that time we will also make it," said Budi.

The Pelican crossing will later be equipped with traffic lights. Budi admitted that its existence has the potential to slow down vehicle traffic, but the step is considered a temporary solution to ensure pedestrian safety while the JPO is not available.

"Yes, of course there will be a slowdown, because there are people who want to cross. Pelican crossing must also have a red light. This is one of the emergency conditions. Because the most important thing is the construction of the bridge," he said.

Dishub will also place officers at the location during the initial operation so that road users can adapt to the new traffic pattern.

"At the beginning, there may be some standby officers to ensure their safety. Previously, it was a bridge, I was afraid that the drivers were not familiar with the condition of the pelican crossing and also there will be a red light," said Budi.

After the new JPO is completed, the pelican crossing will be dismantled so that there are not two crossing facilities at the same point.

"Yes, it must be eliminated. Don't let there be such a duality. Because we want people to be able to use the bridge so that the traffic flow is faster," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the DKI Jakarta Transportation Office, Heru Suwondo, said that the reconstruction of the Tendean JPO was still waiting for confirmation of the source of financing. The DKI Provincial Government estimates that the budget needed to rebuild the bridge will reach around Rp. 5 billion to Rp. 6 billion.

"What is clear is that the JPO wants to be built again. Financing will be sought. Hopefully in the near future there will be news for the construction of the JPO," said Heru.

According to Heru, one of the funding schemes being explored comes from the floor coefficient of the building (KLB) fund, because the JPO construction budget is not available in the existing post.

The DKI Provincial Government also ensures that it will demand compensation for the damage to the JPO. However, the process is still waiting for the results of the police investigation regarding the cause of the accident that resulted in the bridge being damaged.