Soekarno-Hatta Airport's Integrated Terminal Construction Begins
25 November 2014 21:42 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The construction of Soekarno-Hatta Airport Integrated Building and Rail Link has been launched by state airport operator Angkasa Pura II in Cengkareng, Tangerang.
The head of protocols and public relations for Angkasa Pura II at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Yudis Tiawan, said the construction was officially launched with the erection of a construction pillar near the airport's M1 access gate.
"Around 400 pillars will be used to construct the foundation of this station," said Yudis on Monday. He said the pillars had been brought in to be erected at the location since last Tuesday.
Previously, the airport operator dismantled and moved a makeshift utilities building that had stood at the location, which is located near Building 632 at the airport complex. "Now that the removal is complete and the pillars have been brought in, we can begin to construct the foundation of the station," said Yudis.
The station is located atop of a field with a total area measuring 7,200 square meters, and will cost around Rp193 billion to construct. The project is contracted to state construction company Adhi Karya, which is also responsible for the construction of the expansion of Terminal 3 at the airport.
The construction of the entire station is scheduled to be completed by December 2015. Once the station is complete, the contractors will move towards Phase 2 of the project, which will focus on the construction of the car park for the integrated terminal complex.
"The integrated complex will allow rail passengers to directly travel onwards to Terminal 1 or Terminal 2," said Yudis, adding that an Automated People Mover System (APMS) would connect Terminal 1, 2 and the proposed Sky City area.
A transportation analyst from the University of Indonesia, Ellen Tangkudung, said the construction of an airport rail link would reduce travel time, as well as providing travellers with more travel options in the direction of the airport.
Ellen believes that until the rail link is fully operational, state-owned bus company Damri's airport shuttle will remain favored by travellers. "Damri have shuttle services for West, South, and East Jakarta, as well as Depok," she said.
JONAINSYAH | HUSSEIN ABRI YUSUF
