Medan Mayor: Gatot Subroto Underpass Development To Overcome Congestion

Deputy Mayor of Medan Aulia Rachman delivered his remarks at the laying of the first stone underpass at Jalan Gatot Subroto Medan, North Sumatra, Tuesday (31/10/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Diskominfo Medan City)

Deputy Mayor of Medan Aulia Rachman said the construction of a 750-meter-long underpass on Jalan Gatot Subroto Medan was to overcome congestion in the area.

"Alhamdulillah, the construction of this underpass has begun. The presence of this underpass will later unravel the congestion that has occurred so far," Aulia said at the groundbreaking of the underpass of Jalan Gatot Subroto Medan, North Sumatra, as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 31.

In addition, he continued, the construction of underpasses in the area is at the same time increasing the economic sector in the capital area of North Sumatra Province.

Because Jalan Gatot Subroto is the entrance to Medan City from the west which includes Deli Serdang Regency, Binjai City, Langkat Regency and districts/cities in Aceh.

Data from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) states that the construction of an underpass for Jalan Gatot Subroto worth Rp200 billion uses a contract for the 2023-2024 State Budget.

The underpass of Jalan Gatot Subroto has a lane width of seven meters with a total of 2 x 4 lanes targeted for completion within 365 days.

"We (Medan City Government, ed) hope that the community will be patient during the development period, because of course it will have an impact on the smooth running of daily activities," said Aulia.

The deputy mayor asked business actors affected by the smooth traffic flow for one year due to the construction of this underpass to think about its long term.

Moreover, said Aulia, the number of vehicles in Medan City continues to grow between 2,000 and 3,000 units every year.

Not to mention the number of motorcycles based on electronic registration identification data of the Traffic Police Corps in 2022, said that in Medan City the motorcycle population was 2,724,585 units out of a total of 6,368,014 units in North Sumatra Province.

"Certainly it will be an extraordinary traffic jam, if there is no development. The analysis is carried out by the Medan City Government and the Ministry of PUPR, the construction of the Gatot Subroto underpass does not damage the city's aesthetics and continues to revive the economy, especially business actors around the underpass," he explained.

He also said that after the construction of the Gatot Subroto Road underpass, it would have an impact on economic growth in the capital city of North Sumatra Province, especially residents who came from outside the city of Medan.

"Everything that is done is for the good of the community without any element. God willing, we will build this city together, so the benefits can be felt evenly," said Aulia, who is also a former member of the Medan City DPRD.