Express Lane Closed for Semanggi Overpass Groundbreaking Works

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The groundbreaking of the Semanggi overpass, which began at 10:00am, Jakarta time has caused some traffic congestion around Taman Semanggi, where the event is centered around.

The number of vehicles stuck Semanggi's outer lane of the has increased to accommodate the additional lane that is used to divert cars from other lanes wishing to pass through Jakarta's busiest thoroughfare, where the groundbreaking is taking place. As a result, the fast, central lane that cars could normally go without having to deal with diverging traffic heading towards Semanggi's overpass four main exits have to be closed to be used as VIP carparks.

Traffic flow from Jl. Sudirman and Jl. MH Thamrin towards the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout is still flowing normally - albeit at a slower pace due to the increase traffic, and no significant congestion were observed past the groundbreaking site towards Blok M Plaza.

According to the Deputy for the Traffic Enforcement Subdirectorate for Jakarta Police, Sr. Adj. Comr. Budiyanto, the express lane will one again be opened once all procession ends at about 12:00pm in the afternoon. "Once its' done, traffic flow should return to normal," said Budiyanto to Tempo on Friday, April 8. 2016.

The revitalisation works on the Semanggi overpass is aimed to optimise the flow of traffic across the notoriously congested intersection - once it is completed, the project is expected to loosen up some congestion in the vicinity of the area.

DESTRIANITA KUSUMASTUTI