Massive Jam on Java's Northern Coast
Tuesday, 30 September, 2008 | 14:31 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Cirebon:A massive traffic jam hit West Java's northern coast highway (Pantura) yesterday morning. A 36-kilometre queue started at Palikanci toll road till Pasar Gebang.

Because of this, four-wheeled vehicles were not allowed to enter the Palikanci toll road. Those who were already stuck in the toll road took two hours to get out of the 26-kilometre road.

Based on Tempo's observation, the traffic jam – caused by the markets in Mundu and ill-disciplined public transportation -- was seen in Kalijaga in Cirebon city, and Mundu in Cirebon regency.

Car drivers who were unable to enter the toll road had to join the jam in Pantura. "We couldn't enter the toll road through Tegalkarang," said Sunarno, a driver.

The traffic jam was inevitable because Kanci t-junction is the meeting point of vehicles coming out of the toll road and from Pantura. Cars had to crawl slowly on the 10-kilometre road.

Another gridlock happened along the Cikampek – Pamanukan highway, reportedly because a convoy of buses organized by a big political party used the slow the lane. "There were no motorcycles in sight," said Denny, a driver.

To manage the traffic snarl, the Purwakarta Regional Police closed the lane temporarily early in the morning and rerouted all vehicles coming out of the Cikopo toll exit to the middle lane.

"The Pantura lane is so crowded the cars barely moved," Purwakarta Police chief, Jodie Rooseto said. The lane was opened two hours later and the traffic snarl slowly unraveled. By noon, Jodie said, the traffic congestion had eased up at Cikopo.

Banten's Merak toll exit was also closed for the first time starting at 9 in the morning to anticipate a jam. "We closed the toll to create a temporary parking area," said Rahmatulloh, PT Marga Mandala Sakti's Traffic and Security manager.

Yesterday the vehicles lined up 3 kilometres long on the toll road. Meanwhile from Merak port to Merak toll entrance there was a 5-kilometre queue.

Transportation minister Jusman Syafii Djamal said 15.8 million people were returning home for Lebaran this year. "This is a 6,03 percent increase from last year," he said.

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