Jakarta (ANTARA) – Deputy Minister of Public Works Diana Kusumastuti emphasized that the construction of flyovers and underpasses is the primary solution to reducing the risk of accidents at railway crossings while improving the safety of road and train users.”The Ministry of Public Works has experience in managing level crossings through the construction of flyovers and underpasses,” she stated during a working meeting with the Commission V of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Thursday.She mentioned several completed projects, including the 788.5-meter Kretek Flyover, built in 2017, the 446.5-meter Kesambi Flyover in 2017, and the 760-meter Klonengan Flyover in Central Java, built in the same year.The ministry also built the 617.5-meter Dermoleng Flyover in 2017 and the 850-meter Karangsawah Underpass, completed in 2018, to improve safety and smooth mobility.Similar infrastructure development continues with the 882.5-meter Patih Galung Flyover, built in 2022 as part of an effort to reduce direct intersections between vehicles and trains.According to Kusumastuti, these projects show that level crossing management can be adapted to the characteristics and construction requirements of each region.Although management approaches differ, the core principle remains unchanged by minimizing risk points between road traffic and rail operations to enhance safety and ensure smooth public mobility.However, accelerating level crossing management remains challenged by land acquisition issues involving communities, PT KAI, and local governments, making land availability crucial to ensuring development proceeds as planned.To expedite this process, an inventory of land needs and availability for the construction of level crossings is necessary by relevant ministries and institutions, PT KAI, and local governments.Furthermore, developing regulations within the authority of each agency is considered crucial to streamline the land acquisition process, allowing for more effective development.Kusumastuti emphasized that land readiness is a critical factor, as construction cannot move forward effectively without the availability of the required land, regardless of planning calculations.She added that managing level crossings is a safety agenda that requires cooperation from all parties, as its success depends not only on the Ministry of Public Works but also on collaboration across relevant ministries and agencies.Going ahead, management strategies will emphasize three key aspects: prioritizing interventions according to safety risks, streamlining land acquisition administration, and improving coordination among relevant authorities.Based on data from the Ministry of Public Works, there are 4,242 level crossings throughout Indonesia, with 184 locations under the jurisdiction of national roads requiring ongoing attention.Of the 184 level crossings on national roads, 48 have been successfully addressed through various transportation safety infrastructure developments that support connectivity.Therefore, the government still needs to manage 136 level crossings across seven provinces, each with different requirements, requiring an estimated budget of up to Rp30 trillion (US$1.6 billion).