The increasingly critical condition of the Soekarno Hatta (Soehat) iron truss bridge has made the Mayor of Malang not want to take too many risks. To ensure that the bridge does not claim any victims if it collapses, the bridge will be closed in 2014.
Anticipating the bridge being closed, Malang City traffic can still run smoothly, the Malang City Traffic Forum is taking various anticipations. Among them is holding a traffic forum meeting at Malang City Hall, Monday (30/12).
Head of the Malang City Transportation Agency (Dishub), Drs. Subari revealed that a few months ago the strength of the bridge was studied by experts from Brawijaya University (UB) and now the condition is increasingly critical. With the rainy conditions that almost every day pour down on Malang City, it is estimated that the strength of the bridge is currently only 30-15%.
"According to the mayor's instructions, the Soehat bridge will be closed in 2014 before being dismantled. Therefore, so that when the bridge is closed, the traffic flow will still run well, we must anticipate it well in advance," Subari explained, Monday (30/12).
Subari added, to anticipate the bridge being completely closed before being dismantled around March, anticipation will be carried out by conducting a bridge closure simulation. By conducting a bridge closure simulation, it is hoped that when the bridge is completely closed, the Transportation Agency will no longer be confused about regulating traffic so that it continues to run well.
"With the bridge closure simulation, it is hoped that the best steps can be taken to regulate traffic when the bridge is actually closed," said Subari.
Subari said, early this year, the Soehat bridge plan was also carried out a simulation of closing. With the closure of the Soehat bridge on the east side, traffic will only use the west bridge. Before the closure, it will continue to be socialized to the public so as not to cause unrest.
Head of Sea Transportation Division of East Java Transportation and Road Traffic Agency, Bambang Jatmiko said that Soehat Bridge needs attention because from forensic studies, the condition of this bridge is no longer feasible. The presence of an iron truss bridge in the city also makes the city less beautiful.
"In accordance with the request of the Mayor of Malang, the 2014 Soehat Bridge will be replaced, the budget is already available," explained Bambang.
The Soehat Bridge on the east side will be built like the bridge on the west side. Currently, the bridge construction process has entered the detailed design stage before the auction.
"The bridge demolition will be carried out around May or June after the auction process, but before the bridge is dismantled, socialization must be carried out as early as possible to the community so as not to cause unrest," explained Bambang. (cah/dmb)
