Strengthen Toll Road Regulation
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Although their lengths have increased, the public has been told not to solely rely on toll roads for a smooth journey home.
Homebound travelers need to watch traffic conditions on toll roads and seek alternative routes to avoid total gridlock.
“The public should not only focus on toll roads. There are the northern route and southern route that can be accessed,” Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said during a transportation discussion forum titled “Government’s Readiness to Anticipate Safe, Secure and Comfortable Exodus” held in Jakarta on Sunday (11/6).
Both regular and alternative routes have been repaired by the Central Java Administration, who said they are now roadworthy. Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo, who attended the discussion, said he would deploy public order officers (Satpol PP) to help maintain order during the exodus season.
“When there is total gridlock, homebound travelers must be directed to exit the toll road,” Ganjar said.
Indonesian Transportation Society observer Djoko Setijowarno said the public needs to be informed about alternative routes as early as possible.
“Last year, homebound travelers wanted to try the Brebes toll road [in Central Java], which motorists who were supposed to take the southern route failed to exit at Pejagan. In fact, the regular northern and southern routes were relatively smooth,” Djoko said.
The plan to open unfinished or functional toll roads still requires work, particularly concerning rest areas and intersections – areas that can potentially cause congestion.
“The toll road operator needs to implement a messaging or warning system before rest areas to keep motorists informed; travelers can avoid rest areas that are fully occupied,” Djoko said.
Public Work and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, who inspected the routes on Saturday and Sunday, said his office has prepared parking bays at some toll roads, such as at Kilometer 18, 41 and 59 on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road, and Kilometer 33 and 58 on the other side; on both directions of the Cipali toll road on Kilometer 78, 133+500 and 153; as well as at the Palikanci toll road on Kilometer 191+450; and Pejagan-Pemalang at Kilometer 282+500 on both sides.
The parking bays are located one kilometer before the rest areas.
Accelerated work
Construction workers are speeding up their work to finish toll roads in Central Java and East Java, such as the East Brebes-Gringsing toll road in Batang, Central Java. The route passes three toll road sections, Pejagan-Pemalang III and IV, Pemalang-Batang and Batang-Semarang. The unfinished or functional toll roads are constructed from lean concrete or low-grade concrete, with a thickness of 10 centimeter and width of 7 meters, enough for two opposite flows of traffic.
Motorists can drive past Pejagan-Pemalang toll road without exiting the East Brebes gate. The maximum speed should be 40 km per hour. The toll road operator provides some exits before Gringsing, namely Ujungrusi Karangjati, Warureja (Tegal), Sewaka, Beji (Pemalang), Bojong (Pekalongan), Pasekaran and Tulis (Batang).
According to Kompas’ observation from East Brebes to Pemalang, almost all routes have been layered with concrete. Some traffic signs, such as no-stopping signs, maximum speed and exit directions have been attached.
The Pemalang-Batang route was constructed from concrete, but will still have heavy machinery operating at some locations. The development of bridges is still in progress, including one leading to the Beji exit, which is connected to the regular route in northern Java. Some toll booths are already in place.
At night, motorists need to take extra precautions on the unfinished Pejagan-Batang toll road because of dust that may reduce visibility, as experienced by Kompas reporting on Basuki’s visit on Saturday night.
It was worsened by the absence of road lights in several areas. Traffic signs were not visible due to excessive dust and the road along the route was still bumpy. People were also spotted sitting on roadsides, which could cause accidents.
Basuki ordered the toll road operator to water the roads once a day and add reflectors as signs for motorists.
Solo-Ngawi Toll Road
Motorists are expected to take caution when they drive past the unfinished Solo (Central Java)-Ngawi (East Java) toll road spanning 64 km, which is incomplete. Traffic signs are not placed properly and there are dozens of crossroads, as well as cattle on roadsides.
According to Kompas’ observations, road conditions starting from the entry gate in Ngasem, Boyolali to Sragen, Central Java, is permanent concrete. In some spots, however, are made from low-grade concrete and contains pebbles, particularly in Donohudan, Boyolali, at the entry gate in Klodran, the exit gate in Pungkruk, as well as the bridge project over Pepe river.
“The Solo-Ngawi toll road will be opened from Jun 19 through July 2, one way from Solo to the east during the exodus season and vice versa,” said David Wijayatno, director of PT Solo Ngawi Jaya (SNJ), project developer and operator of the Solo-Ngawi toll road.
East Java Toll Road
The unfinished toll road in East Java from Ngawi to Pasuruan is also expected to be accessible during the Idul Fitri exodus. Based on Kompas’ observations, the Surabaya-Mojokerto toll road and Mojokerto-Kertosono toll road are unfinished, with some portions consisting of dirt tracks and lacking concrete.
Around 4 km of the Surabaya-Mojokerto toll road is made of low-grade concrete, while 20.8 km of the Mojokerto-Kertosono toll road is still unfinished, with some parts still rigid and others made of low-grade concrete.
The Gempol-Pasuruan toll road is accessible, including the Gempol-Bangil section, of which around 6.8 km is still unfinished.
(RAM/DIT/SYA/BRO/RWN/BKY/ECA/EKI)