Reasons For The DKI Provincial Government To Eliminate Bicycle And Pedestrian Paths At The Santa Intersection

Simpang Santa di Jakarta Selatan (dok. Humas Pemprov DKI)

JAKARTA - Traffic Engineering (traffic) at Santa intersection, namely on Jalan Wijaya I-Jalan Wolter Monginsidi-Jalan Suryo, South Jakarta, has drawn criticism. This is because this engineering eliminates access to bicycle lanes and pedestrians at that location.

This morning, a number of communities and organizations ranging from Bike to Work (B2W), Pedestrian Coalition, Greenpeace, Road Safety Association, Jakarta Transportation Discussion Forum, and the Commission for Elimination of Leaded Gasoline carried out flower sowing actions as a form of criticism of the elimination of bicycle lanes and pedestrians there.

Responding to this, the Head of the DKI Jakarta Transportation Agency, Syafrin Liputo, emphasized that he would rearrange pedestrian facilities and cyclists in the area.

"We will design the arrangement of pedestrian facilities and cyclists by involving the community, before the provision of facilities is carried out," said Syafrin in Jakarta, Sunday, April 16.

Syafrin then explained the reason why the DKI Provincial Government removed pedestrian paths and bicycle lanes in the engineering of Santa intersection traffic.

Based on an evaluation conducted during a traffic engineering trial with the closure of the Wijaya I-Jalan Wolter Monginsidi intersection on April 6-12, 2023, the DKI Transportation Agency decided to change the size of the highway related to the physical shape of the Santa intersection road.

"The arrangement is carried out so that the distribution of vehicles can run better, along with the increasing congestion in the area after PPKM is revoked because there are more and more community activities outside the home," explained Syafrin.

After going through a joint study with the Polda Metro Jaya Traffic Unit, it was decided to open an idle road or road that was not used for passing vehicles as vehicle access.

"Then the DKI Jakarta Highways Agency made adjustments to the sidewalk by installing ramps (the sidewalks are adjusted and paved), so that the idle road can be crossed by vehicles. This step was taken as an effort to unravel congestion," he continued.

As is known, traffic engineering trials at the traffic light Santa, namely at the Wijaya I Street intersection, Wolter Monginsidi Street, and Suryo Street have started since April 5. This traffic engineering of Santa intersections is done to unravel traffic congestion. Because, this point often occurs in traffic jams.

More specifically, traffic from the south (Jalan Wijaya I / Antasari) heading east (Tendean) is diverted to the Wolter Monginsidi-right corner at the Gunawarman Street intersection - Senopati Street - Suryo Street or can pass Prof Dr. Sutono - Gunawarman Street - Senopati Street - Suryo Street.