Central Government planned an alternative to solve over the traffic jam around God Ruci Kuta with overpass and underpass development. But Badung Regional Government suggested to change the overpass with underpass as it was viewed more befitting Bali cultural and aesthetic.

Badung government also viewed two solutions are not enough to solve traffic jam in Dewa Ruci to Nusa Dua. Thus, the government in Badung remains with its initial plan developing road alternative above the mangrove forest.

It was revealed in a press conference held after the meeting with Badung Regional government, Bali Provincial Government and City’s Road and Bridge Head of City’s Road and Bridge Division, Director of General Bina Marga Apri Artoto at Badung Central Government on Thursday (September 2nd) yesterday.
Badung Regent, A.A. Gde Agung stated that underpass suggested by Badung government is the perfection for the plan proposed by the central government. Underpass viewed gives high appreciation toward culture and environment aesthetic in Bali.

It is explained by Assitance II of Badung Regional Government who is also the head of Bappeda and Litbang Badung, I Wayan Suambara, from the related studies and considering the width of the road at Bypass NGurah Rai that is also a state’s road, then the central government has ascertain underpass and overpass road development. Underpass will be build at the south of God Ruci to Sanur whilst over pass planned will be build at the south of God Ruci to Sunset Road.

Detail Engineering Design (DED) for underpass has been finished in 2008. Meanwhile, for DED overpass is still in the middle of finishing process. “It is means that there is no final DED yet, that is why the Badung Regional Government resuggested for the overpass project re-evaluated and shifted into underpass,” said Suambara.

Toward the suggestion, Apri Artoto also confessed that basically underpass with physic development conducted underground, according to environment aesthetic is better than the overpass development. Although there is no final decision yet, the central government promised that whatever will be build in the near future would not ignoring the benefit and the aesthetic value.

Specifically in regard with the relocation of God Ruci statue, Apri asserted that it has not decided yet since them still waiting for the project planning decision conducted.

Concerning the time of the project applied it was planned would run in 2011, with construction period estimated around 18 to 20 months. The project fully takes its budget from State’s Budgetary and hope will be finish for the next APEC 2013 held in Bali.

Not a Solution

Even though the central has planned, the underpass and overpass but it still could not appear as a long-term solution to solve over the traffic jam happened. Head of Commission B of Badung Council, Putu Parwata reminded the government not to falsely make short-term project. The government project should be able to solve fully the traffic jam problem. Badung Regional Government itself is still studying further the overpass and underpass, as either it would become long-term solution or not.

“Thus, Badung Regional Government suggested for the central keep conducting the development of new road path above the mangrove area. This suggestion hope could become a note for the central,” Suambara said.
During the overpass or underpass development, worse accident predicted could happen. Thus, at yesterday meeting, Badung and Bali government reminded the central government to summarize the phases to solve traffic jam probably happened during the construction project run at the area.

News by Bali Post