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Bridge vandalized, bolts stolen
State-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga has intensified its patrols of the "Suramadu" bridge following a report from the Public Works Ministry that many of the bridge's components, including dozens of bolts, were missing since its inauguration last week
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State-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga has intensified its patrols of the "Suramadu" bridge following a report from the Public Works Ministry that many of the bridge's components, including dozens of bolts, were missing since its inauguration last week.
Besides the theft case, the operator also discovered graffiti made by "irresponsible people" on many of the bridge's surfaces. The thefts had been taking place since the construction of 5.4-kilometer bridge began in 2003, PT Jasa Marga operational director Adityawarman said Tuesday.
These losses could directly affect the bridge's strength and safety, Adityawarman said.
"We have held a special meeting in Jakarta, discussing the problems. We believe these thieves work as a group, since this could not have been done by just anyone.
"We plan to carry out routine patrols on and under the bridge," Adityawarman told The Jakarta Post in Surabaya, East Java.
He pointed out that vandalism had not only affected the Suramadu bridge, but also almost at all public facilities in Indonesia, including road signs.
"To prevent further damage and crimes, we have replaced metal-based traffic signs with non-metal signs, including signs made of wood, at several important intersections.
"For the Suramadu bridge we will change the bolts with other suitable components," Adityawarman said.
East Surabaya Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Samudi said his office would also conduct routine inspections of the bridge to prevent further damage.
"We caught Suramadu components thieves last April. The suspects had used fishing boats to reach the bridge. They also dived to remove bridge components," Samudi said.
PT Jasa Marga director Frans Sunito also complained about problems in operating the new bridge.
Many people still lack awareness about maintaining public property and often obstruct the traffic signs, which causes problems for them and others, he said.
"Their ignorance not only causes traffic jams but also threatens their own and other people's safety.
"For this reason, we will set strict rules to avoid any accidents on the bridge," Frans said.
The Suramadu bridge was built with three cable-stayed sections constructed between Surabaya on the island of Java and the town of Bangkalan on the island of Madura.
Opened on June 10, 2009, the 5.4-km bridge is the longest in Indonesia and the first bridge to cross the Madura strait.
It has two lanes in each direction plus an emergency lane and a dedicated lane for motorcycles.
