JAKARTA. The construction of additional elevated roads in Semanggi, South Jakarta, is targeted to be completed in October 2017, and is expected to minimize the chronic congestion at the crowded Semanggi interchange, a construction company executive has said.

State-owned construction company PT Wijaya Karya (Wika) will kick off the groundbreaking in front of Plaza Semanggi shopping mall on April 8, following the signing of a deal worth Rp 345 billion (US$ 26,22 million) with  PT Mitra Panca Persada.

"The project will take a total of 18 months: three months for the engineering design, and 15 months for construction," Wika corporate secretary Suradi told thejakartapost.com on Friday.

The new elevated road will be built above the existing clover-shaped flyover, with a circular flyover providing access for vehicles from Blok M to Cawang without passing Jl. Gatot Soebroto, Suradi said.

The construction aims to streamline vehicles traveling from Grogol in West Jakarta to Kebayoran Baru in South Jakarta, and from Pancoran in South Jakarta to the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta, he added. "Previously, they had to take a detour. Now the trip will be more efficient and reduce congestion," he said.

The construction will be fully funded by a private developer, PT Mitra Panca Persada, as compensation for being allowed to construct a building larger than its set building floor coefficient (KLB), the standard for a building's total maximum size, in Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta, said Suradi.

"The company will fund the construction. Wika's role is as contractor," he went on.

Earlier, Wika Beton president director Wilfred A. Singkali said his company had been ordered by its parent company to supply materials for the  construction. Despite its long track record in construction projects, the company views the project as a tough challenge. (Ayomi Amindoni)

Editor: Dupla Kartini