Remember all those memes that poked fun at Bekasi for being way too far away from civilization (ie. Jakarta)? Well, it looks like the satellite city is taking steps to address that.
One major problem Bekasi citizens experience daily is the macet going in and out of Jakarta, given that many of them drive to the capital to work. So to ease access into Jakarta, the Bekasi administration is planning to build a Rp 67 billion flyover above the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road that should theoretically bypass the notorious Pondok Gede macet.
One such flyover actually already exists, though it’s only 8 meters wide and only has two lanes going in opposite directions – meaning it hasn’t been a viable alternative in terms of escaping the Jakarta-Bekasi macet.
“[The plan is] for there to be two flyovers, one going to Jakarta and the other to Bekasi,” said Tri Adhianto, head of the Bekasi Bina Marga Agency which is in charge of roads, as quoted by Tempo yesterday.
The Bekasi administration is ready to spend Rp 37 billion on the project from their regional budget, and they are hoping that Jakarta can come through by covering the rest of the project’s cost.
“Help from Jakarta [hasn’t been pledged yet], but we’re confident it will come,” Tri said.
Should the flyover get built, Bekasi citizens might even be able to arrive at work in the capital before people who actually live in the city (where the macet is predicted to get even worse).
