Solo (8/1) – The Ministry of Transportation has officially started the construction of the Solo - Semarang double-track railway phase 1 for the Solo Balapan - Kalioso segment with a length of 10 kilometers spoor (Km'sp), of which about 1.8 Km'sp will be built by overpass ( elevated). This is the longest elevated rail in Indonesia, which is expected to overcome congestion at the Joglo intersection, Solo.

As a sign of the start of work, the Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi together with the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo, the Mayor of Surakarta Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and the Director-General of Highways of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, Hedy Rahadian, on Saturday (8/1), came directly to Simpang Joglo to conduct a Ground Breaking Development. Solo Racing – Kalioso Double Track and Traffic Engineering at the Joglo Junction, Surakarta City.

The Ministry of Transportation together with the Ministry of PUPR, Central Java Provincial Government, and Surakarta City Government, synergize in structuring railroad crossings at Simpang Joglo, Solo, Central Java.

The arrangements carried out are: First, the construction of a 1.8 Km'sp elevated double-track train which was carried out by the Directorate General of Railways of the Ministry of Transportation. The design of the flyover bridge construction adopts local wisdom that exists in the city of Solo, namely Batik Sidomukti, Pasar Klewer, and the Palace.

The Solo Balapan - Kalioso double-track railway project with a length of 10 Km's, was built at a cost of around Rp. 920 billion originating from pure rupiah and State Sharia Securities (SBSN). It is targeted that the construction will be completed by the end of 2023.

Second, the construction of the national road underpass connecting Jalan Ki Mangunsarkoro and Jalan Sumpah Pemuda which was carried out by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing.

Third, land acquisition for provincial and district/city roads by the Central Java Provincial Government and the Solo City Government.

The Minister of Transportation revealed that the train line at the Joglo intersection has a fairly dense frequency of train movements, because it is crossed by three types of trains, namely: Long-distance Train (passenger and freight), Adi Sumarmo Airport Train (BIAS), and Solo-Jogja Commuter Train.

The existence of the Joglo intersection makes the headway (arrival time) of the train more than 30 minutes. With the construction of the elevated rail, it is expected that the train headway will decrease significantly to less than 15 minutes.

“Traffic at Simpang Joglo is very congested and becomes a point of congestion. With this arrangement, it is expected to be able to solve road traffic problems and train movement," said the Minister of Transportation.

The Minister of Transportation is optimistic that with good collaboration between the central and regional governments, development will run well.

On the same occasion, the Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo agreed with what the Minister of Transportation said that with mutual cooperation and good cooperation between the central government, regional governments, TNI, Polri, and other related elements, development will run smoothly.

"This good cooperation has been tested in Central Java. For example: the construction of Ahmad Yani Airport in Semarang and General Sudirman Airport in Purbalingga," said Ganjar.

Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka explained, with the start of the work on the arrangement of the Joglo intersection, his party had anticipated the traffic impact and social impact well, by conducting outreach and communication with the surrounding community.

"This arrangement can also overcome flooding, because later drainage will be built to the Kalianyar river. The arrangement of the Joglo intersection will become a new icon in the city of Solo," said Mayor Gibran.

Also attending the event was Director-General of Railways Zulfikri, Director General of Highways of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, Hedy Rahadian, and President Director of Wika Agung Budi Waskito. (GD/RDL/LA/HS)