Jakarta to demolish 'Love-Hate Relationship' pedestrian bridge for better accessibility

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan has ordered the demolition of one of the two pedestrian bridges on Jalan HR Rasuna Said, Kuningan, South Jakarta. The bridge, which had gained viral attention and the nickname "Love-Hate Relationship," was constructed in the late 1980s or early 1990s.

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After I discussed with the Head of the Bina Marga Agency, the Mayor of South Jakarta, the Transportation Agency, and also the Kominfotik Agency, I have decided that one of the pedestrian bridges will be demolished.

Baswedan's decision followed an on-site inspection with city officials. He noted that while both bridges serve the same function of facilitating public crossings and supporting access to public transportation like the Light Rail Transit (LRT), they differ significantly in age and design. The bridge slated for demolition is the older one, built by the provincial government.

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The reason one of the pedestrian bridges (on Rasuna Said) will be demolished is because one of them is truly not friendly to people with disabilities.

The governor cited accessibility for people with disabilities as a primary reason for the demolition. He explained that the older bridge lacks a lift and has a considerable height difference between its access points and the surrounding area, making it difficult for individuals with mobility challenges to use. Baswedan also commented that the existence of two functionally similar bridges indicates past policy-making issues where leaders' egos were not well-communicated, leading to redundant public facilities.

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The old one no longer has a lift, making it difficult for people, especially those with disabilities, to access.

With the removal of the older structure, only one pedestrian bridge will remain at the location. This move is intended to streamline public infrastructure and ensure better usability for all residents, especially those with disabilities.

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But after I saw it myself, this shows that in the past, when making policies, often, as I said, the leader's ego was not communicated well. So actually, both of them have exactly the same function.