The Seoul city government decided to temporarily suspend the flattening project of the west arterial road, which has been criticized for creating severe traffic congestion. Instead, the city will proceed with plans to widen the road and enhance consolidation functions in nearby areas.
During a briefing on the 8th, the Seoul city government unveiled the proposed 'west arterial road capacity expansion and functionality enhancement plan.'
According to the Seoul city government, the flattening of the west arterial road has been in progress since June 2013, during the term of former Mayor Park Won-soon. The plan includes constructing an underground west arterial road and converting the existing upper west arterial road into a general road. The initiative aimed to connect areas separated by the road and create a pedestrian-friendly road environment.
The west arterial road is a 12.4 km road with 4 to 6 lanes that connects Sohwa JC in Sihung-dong, Geumcheon-gu, to the southern end of Seongsan Bridge in Yanghwa-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu. The underground west arterial road is 10.3 km long, connecting from Geumcheon IC in Doksan-dong, Geumcheon-gu, to the southern end of Seongsan Bridge and has 4 lanes. It runs beneath the west arterial road and was opened in September 2021. This small vehicle-exclusive road, under 3 meters in height, is accessible to vehicles with a capacity of 15 passengers or less and cargo vehicles under 1 ton.
The west arterial road passes through densely populated areas like Mok-dong in Yangcheon-gu and experiences heavy traffic from Gyeonggi residents commuting to places like the Gasan Digital Complex, which has many enterprises. After the city government closed the underpass at the Omokgyo section in June as part of the flattening plan, numerous complaints about traffic congestion surfaced.
Reflecting this citizen inconvenience, the Seoul city government has decided to prioritize alleviating traffic congestion during commuting hours in the short term. They aim to quickly restore road functionality and increase road capacity to improve vehicle flow.
First, the city plans to reduce the central median in the middle of the road and add one lane in its place, expanding from 4 lanes to 5 lanes. The additional lane will be operated as a variable lane according to traffic volume during commuting hours.
To facilitate general road conversion, the planned installation of traffic signal intersections will be completely suspended to ensure driving continuity. Ongoing flattening construction at Omokgyo intersection will be immediately halted, and the underpass will be restored to recover the road's original functionality. Construction on the underpass toward Iljik JC will also be halted immediately, with recovery work set to be completed before the Chuseok holiday.
A Seoul city official noted, 'Although the project was originally initiated with the aim of being 'pedestrian-friendly' and 'expanding green spaces,' it has been determined that it doesn't align with the current traffic situation and urban conditions.' He added, 'This decision goes beyond merely changing existing plans; it's an active decision to balance the two values of transportation and living.'
In the long term, the Seoul city government plans to explore various methods to connect the eastern and western living zones in the southwest that have been severed by the west arterial road and improve access to Anyangcheon. The plan includes installing pedestrian overpasses and creating parks utilizing the space above the road.
The government is currently working on the Seoul-Gwangmyeong expressway. Once this road is completed, traffic volume is expected to be dispersed, and plans to convert the west arterial road into a general road and flatten it will be reviewed.