here are still too many old and unsafe footbridges in the capital, Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja admitted following the recent collapse of one such bridge in South Jakarta, which left three people dead.
"The footbridges in the city are old. Almost all of them were constructed with the cooperation of private companies, advertisements for which were installed on them," Ahok told journalists in City Hall on Monday.
There were still several current contracts with private companies, even though he said his administration had prohibited advertising displays on pedestrian bridges.
The Jakarta administration, through the Jakarta Transportation Agency, will construct a new model of footbridges to replace those whose contracts with private companies had expired. The model would be similar to those at the Hotel Indonesia Traffic Circle in Central Jakarta.
"They will be open pedestrian bridges with no walls to act as wind traps. The open bridges will also prevent crimes on the bridge," he said.
A large section of a pedestrian bridge in Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta collapsed during heavy rains in the capital on Saturday killing three people, injuring six people and damaging three cars passing underneath. (rin)
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