The new Semanggi Interchange, Jakarta. is the oldest interchange in Jakarta and Southeast Asia, it’s a series of new overpasses and on-off ramps elegantly encircling the current clover roads connecting the capital’s main thoroughfare of Jalan Sudirman to toll road Jalan Gatot Subroto.
Estimated to increase traffic flow in the perpetually gridlocked area by 37% and illuminated with colorful LED lighting, the new interchange looks to be a feat of both engineering and aesthetics. As such, Jakarta Governor Djarot Syaiful Hidayat worries that is also likely to be a magnet for selfie-obsessed Indonesians who might dangerously stop on the interchange and get out in search of the perfect picture.
“So later, please don’t let passengers stop their cars and take pictures on the (Semanggi Interchange) ” Djarot told told reporters this morning as quoted by Wartakota.
Djarot previously banned motorcyclists from entering the interchange, also due to selfie fears.
The governor instead suggested that selfie seekers take photos from below the interchange curving roads, to better capture the shape and lights of the new infrastructure project.
The Semanggi Interchange project was initiated by former Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and the major construction was finished in just over a year. Not only was the construction time extremely efficient, so was the project’s budgeting. In fact, thanks to thrifty management, the project came in Rp 219 billion under budget. Officials have said the remainder would be spent on repairing sidewalks.