Bamboo Bridge at Tegal Alur To Be Dismantled

West Jakarta officials said on September 2 that the bamboo-and-wood footbridge in Tegal Alur, Kalideres, would be dismantled so construction could begin on a semi-permanent replacement. Mayor Iin Mutmainnah said the existing crossing over Kali Semonggol was no longer adequate for daily pedestrian traffic and posed safety concerns for residents who used it as a main shortcut. The city said the dismantling would involve the Kalideres district administration, Tegal Alur village officials, the local water resources unit, security personnel and residents. PT Adhi Karya has been assigned to build the replacement bridge, with a target of about two weeks for completion. ### Why is the bamboo bridge being removed now? The September 2 dismantling plan followed weeks of scrutiny over the crossing used by residents in Gang Perkutut, Tegal Alur. Iin said the bridge had been functioning for some time as a temporary link but was no longer considered fit to carry the everyday load of people crossing the canal. She said the city had first conducted outreach and reached an understanding with residents before moving ahead with demolition. (antaranews.com) Governor Pramono Anung said on August 28 that an earlier bridge in the area had been dismantled by the West Jakarta Water Resources sub-agency to allow heavy equipment to enter for dredging and flood-control work. He said the dredging project had then been delayed after parts from the machinery were stolen and the equipment was vandalized, slowing the broader works tied to the site. (antaranews.com) ### What will replace it, and who can use it? West Jakarta officials said on September 1 that a temporary replacement using wide-flange steel would be built for pedestrians in RT 02/RW 02, Tegal Alur. Iin said the structure would be stronger and more proper than the current bamboo-and-wood crossing, but it would be limited to people on foot. She said motorcycles and other vehicles would not be allowed to use it. (beritajakarta.id) Yursid Suryanegara of Jakarta’s Water Resources Agency said the bridge would use steel because the design was only for pedestrians. He said the planned width was about 80 to 90 centimeters and that access stairs would be built because the structure was not intended for motor vehicles. ### Do residents still have another way across? (koran-jakarta.com) Iin said residents still have access through two other bridges on the right and left sides of the location. She said many people nevertheless wanted a crossing at the same point because it was the faster route linking nearby housing areas. That has made the Tegal Alur bridge an important local access point even though officials describe it as temporary. (koran-jakarta.com) Resident Yanto said the new semi-permanent bridge would answer worries that had built up over years of using an aging bamboo-and-wood structure. He said residents had long felt anxious crossing, especially during the rainy season, because the materials had become old and fragile. ### Is this the final bridge, or another temporary fix? Pramono said on August 28 that Jakarta would rebuild the bridge as a permanent structure after dredging on the water channel is completed. (koran-jakarta.com) He said the permanent bridge was needed to ensure public safety, but tied that next step to the completion of the canal works first. The current plan therefore has two stages: a semi-permanent or temporary steel pedestrian bridge in the near term, followed by a permanent bridge after the dredging work is finished. (antaranews.com) Officials have not given a completion date for the permanent bridge, but they have said PT Adhi Karya is due to start the immediate replacement with a roughly two-week target. (beritajakarta.id) ### What happens next for people who use the crossing every day? PT Adhi Karya is scheduled to carry out the replacement work after the dismantling of the bamboo bridge, according to West Jakarta officials. Iin said the city expects residents will not have to wait long before a safer pedestrian crossing is in place. Until then, the administration says people can use the two other bridges nearby, while the longer-term permanent bridge remains contingent on the completion of dredging in the area. (antaranews.com)