UPDATE: The Jakarta Traffic Police says it has postponed the trial run for tomorrow (Aug 1)
We have already seen numerous measures enacted by the government to reduce the capital’s notorious traffic as it gears up to host the 2018 Asian Games next month, and this latest one might involve very long detours for toll road users.
Today, the government is running a trial of shutting 19 toll gates throughout the capital, which, depending on its effectiveness, could be enforced throughout the duration of the games (August 18-September 2). The policy involves the closing of 10 toll gates from 6am-5pm and nine toll gates from 12pm-9pm every day during the major sporting event.
The toll gates that are being shut are as follows:
6am-5pm
- Ancol Barat
- Jembatan Tiga 1
- Angke 2
- Tanjung Duren
- Off Ramp RS Harapan Kita
- Slipi 2
- Podomoro
- Rawamangun
- Pedati
- TMII
12pm-9pm
- Gedong Panjang 2
- Jembatan Tiga 2
- Angke 1
- Jelambar 1
- Slipi 1
- Sunter
- Jatinegara
- Kebon Nanas
- TMII
Authorities say the shutting of the gates should help unclog congestion on these toll roads, which are particularly busy during the aforementioned hours. The policy is also to ensure that athletes only need to travel a maximum of 30 minutes to get from their accommodations in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, to venues located throughout the city.
Another major traffic policy that is being officially enforced starting tomorrow is the expansion of the odd-even traffic rule to more of Jakarta’s major roads, which the government claims has increased traffic speeds by 12% and improved air quality in the city due to an increase in citizens using public transportation.
