Tangerang - Merak turnpike ready for exodus
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang | Wed, 08/25/2010 5:46 PM
With Idul Fitri holiday fast approaching, turnpike operator PT Marga Mandala Sakti (MMS) is yet to finish repair works on badly damaged sections of the Jakarta-Merak toll road.
PT MMS president director Wiwik D. Santoso, however, said the company had done a lot to ensure a smooth traffic flow and security along the 84-kilometer route when the exodus of holiday revelers peaks one week ahead of and after Idul Fitri, which is expected to fall on Sept. 10.
“The ongoing repair works are expected to entirely finish in 2012. This is much faster than the initial estimate we signed in an agreement with the Turnpikes Management Body (BPJT),” she told journalists during a breaking of the fast at her office on Tuesday.
According to the agreement, the renovation project will conclude in 2014.
To ease the traffic during the Idul Fitri exodus, the company will suspend repair works between Aug. 31 and Sept. 21.
“Our maintenance team will work round the clock to anticipate sudden damages,” she said.
The company will also provide free car tow service and health posts.
Data from the previous years showed traffic flow on the toll road increased between seven days and three days before the Idul Fitri. The number of vehicles that entered the Cikupa gate reached 36,500 last year with 15,000 passing by Merak toll gate.
