0 Your letters: Bali’s ‘simpang siur’ underpass

Bali’s Dewa Ruci underpass project, much discussed and popularly known as the simpang siur (confusing) underpass, is an unmitigated disaster. Passing through this road construction on a daily basis, at forced walking pace, one has ample time to study the progress of work, or lack of it. The very small number of construction workers engaged on this infrastructure project can often be seen sitting down chatting and smoking. 

Progress is painfully slow and drags on day after day, week after week, month after month. High-cost heavy plant and equipment sit idle day after day. There appears to be no urgency whatsoever; night work is extremely rare and holidays mean that no workers are to be seen. Hoarding erected many months ago, proclaiming the usual “Apologies for inconvenience” lie in tatters and it is difficult to believe that either the relevant government department or the contractors care about the massive daily inconvenience to road users. 

The temporary approach roads are in a dreadful state, resembling farm tracks with thick mud and deep ruts. A professional private contractor with its clients in mind could very easily make temporary improvements to the approach roads. Directional signage is appalling. Meanwhile long-suffering road users, locals and visitors alike, suffer in silence and in the dark: The contractors have no inclination to use normal forms of communication to inform, advise or — dare we say? — apologize. A raft of measures could and should be implemented to communicate with the public. And tourists do notice: A holidaymaker from Germany recently asked if this was the norm for building an underpass in this country?

Douglas R P Wallace
Jimbaran, Bali
source : the jakarta post