Surakarta (16/2) The Class I Semarang Railway Engineering Center (BTP Semarang), Directorate General of Railways of the Ministry of Transportation continues to continue the construction of the Solo Balapan - Kadipiro - Kalioso double track railway along 10 km'sp. The 1.8 km'sp line is a railway line that was built elevated. The scope of work for the construction of the Solo Balapan - Kadipiro - Kalioso double-track railway includes: construction of the double-track railway along with the signaling system, construction of the elevated railway line, arrangement of the Joglo Intersection Area and elimination of the Joglo Intersection level crossing.

The Head of BTP Semarang, Putu Sumarjaya, emphasized that the construction of the double railway line is expected to be a solution in overcoming the traffic congestion that has occurred at Joglo Intersection. "With this elevated railway line (part of the double track construction), it is expected to improve the service, safety and operational aspects of trains, especially in the Solo Balapan - Kadipiro - Kalioso crossing. If so far the single track accommodates a capacity of 96 trains/day, later, with the double track, the traffic capacity can be increased to 144 trains/day. The waiting time between trains (headway) can also be minimized from 26 minutes to 20 minutes. Traffic around Joglo Intersection is also smoother, if now the traffic speed in this area is 15 km / h (5 minutes travel time), it can later be increased to 28,4 km / h (2,39 minutes travel time)," Putu explained.

Meanwhile, the PPK of Development Activity 1, Bernard Hasibuan, said that so far the development progress has been on schedule and on the track. "After Groundbreaking a year ago, we intensely ensured that both administration and work in the field were in accordance with the timeline. In August 2022, a detour was carried out, followed by phase 2 of the bridge pillar work. February - April 2023 continued stage 3 erection of the south side steel frame. Later April - June 2023 erection work of the north side steel frame, then June - August 2023 installation of the main span steel frame. We expect that after testing and certification of infrastructure, the elevated single track can be operated in October 2023, currently the realization is 45,60% of the 45,16% plan. The double track elevated is planned to be operated in March 2024," said Bernard.

For the sake of smoothness and safety, each stage requires gradual road closures in the Joglo Intersection area. BTP Semarang, the work executor, Transportation Department and Surakarta Traffic Police, community representatives, related organizations have discussed and socialized Traffic Engineering Management including the 12 February 2023 Surakarta Car Free Day event.

Project Manager of PT WIKA BKU-KSO, Dendy Purbowo, the executor of the elevated railway line construction work said that in the construction Joglo Junction area, during the next 6 months the construction will intensify. "In synergy with the prepared Traffic Engineering Management, road users are advised to use alternative routes to avoid traffic congestion," said Dendy. At the closure of Jl. Colonel Sugiyono, vehicles are diverted via Jl Sumpah Pemuda, then to Jl Letjen Sutoyo and Jl Kolonel Sugiyono to the south. Meanwhile, vehicles from the south (city) heading towards Purwodadi / Surabaya are diverted via Jl Letjen Sutoyo then through Jl Sumpah Pemuda.

Project Manager of PT Calista Perkasa Mulia, Niko Herlambang, implementing the elevation reduction work of the Gilingan Viaduct (part of the construction of the double track railway across Solo Balapan-Kadipiro). February 19, 2023, Jalan Ahmad Yani was closed to continue the work. "This work includes lowering and widening the road under the existing railroad. The Gilingan Viaduct is deepened from 3.7m to 4.2m, and the width from 7m to 14m. With free space according to provincial road standards, the Gilingan Viaduct can be used by large buses to support traffic flow to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque religious attraction," he explained.

On the same occasion, the Head of BTP Semarang, Putu Sumarjaya, expressed his gratitude for the support of the Solo City Government and related OPDs, other agencies, the community around the construction site and the Surakarta community in general who have supported the construction over the past year. "With the complexity of the construction on the main route of the Simpang Joglo area, I would like to express my appreciation to all parties. Hopefully, the collaboration, synergy that exist can continue to run until the finish line, on time and on quality according to the direction of the Minister of Transportation. In every development must cause inconvenience, and we together try to overcome the challenges so that public services continue to run smoothly.

This temporary inconvenience will produce positive results, where the service and safety aspects of both rail and road modes will be improved. The safety of both rail and road modes will improve. Joglo intersection is more organized, traffic flow is smoother, and of course this double track railway becomes our pride as a new icon of Surakarta, the longest steel frame railway bridge in Indonesia," Putu concluded. (humasbtpsemarang)