Semanggi Toll Gate Closed, Severe Traffic Jams On Jalan Gatot Subroto

Congestion On Jalan Gatot Subroto/ Photo: Bitor Ekin Putra

Jakarta Traffic flow in the Semanggi area was badly jammed on Wednesday, September 24, evening. Congestion occurred because the Semanggi 1 Toll Gate was closed for repairs after being damaged by last August's demonstration.

Dirlantas Polda Metro Jaya, Kombes Komarudin, explained that the vehicle was diverted to the Semanggi 2 Toll Gate, but only one substation could be used. "As a result, the queue for vehicles is getting longer," he said.

The police also arranged a vehicle on Jalan Gatot Subroto which tried to cut the route to the right toll road. Komarudin asked the public to use the Kuningan Toll Gate so that traffic jams would not get worse.

In addition, traffic jams increased because vehicles from the airport were about to leave the Semanggi toll road ramp stalled. "The agency is congested, so vehicles from the toll road are stuck. But the direction of Semanggi to Cawang is smooth," said Komarudin.

A motorist, Mita, admitted that he was stuck in traffic for almost two hours in front of the DPR/MPR RI Building. "It's been completely stopped since 17.50 WIB. Even though the farm demonstration has been over," he said.

He also mentioned that there were ambulances and fire engines passing to increase the flow slowdown. Until 19.30 WIB, Mita was still on Jalan Gatot Subroto, to be precise next to the Palmerah skatepark.