Preliminary Agreement Reached on "Demolition of Osan IC Wondong Overpass and Construction of Underpass"

[Suwon Ilbo=Correspondent Seo Dong-young] The long-cherished project of Osan City to demolish the Wondong overpass at the Osan IC entrance and exit of the Gyeongbu Expressway and construct an underpass appears to be gaining momentum.

This is because a preliminary agreement between Osan City and LH Corporation suggests that once finalized, the chronic traffic congestion in the area will be dramatically resolved and the urban landscape will be significantly improved.

Osan Mayor Gwak Sang-wook announced on the 15th, "Following sustained consultations with LH Corporation since last year regarding the demolition of the overpass at the Wondong intersection in front of Osan IC, a section of the Local Road 317 (Dongbu-daero) expansion and connection project, we have reached a preliminary agreement to demolish the Wondong overpass and construct an underpass."

Mayor Gwak announced that Osan City and LH Corporation have accordingly begun detailed coordination for project implementation and preparation of budget measures.

"The total construction cost for the Wondong overpass demolition and underground construction project, preliminarily reviewed by LH Corporation, is approximately 63 billion won, and we are currently in detailed consultations on project cost sharing," Mayor Gwak said, adding "We will expedite administrative procedures including the consent of Osan City Council and finalize the project implementation schedule with LH Corporation."

The Local Road 317 (Dongbu-daero) expansion and connection project being pursued by LH Corporation as part of the Hwaseong Dongtan 2 Regional Traffic Improvement Initiative was originally planned to maintain the existing overpass at the Wondong intersection in front of Osan IC.

In response, Osan City and residents have strongly demanded the demolition of the overpass and installation of an underpass, pointing out that major urban development projects such as the Hwaseong Dongtan New City, as well as Pyeongtaek Goduk New City and the Pyeongtaek Jinwi Industrial Complex, are underway, which would exacerbate traffic congestion in the Osan IC area.

The Local Road 317 (Dongbu-daero) connection and expansion project involves continuously connecting and expanding the entire 3.7km section of Dongbu-daero in Osan City linking Hwaseong Dongtan and Pyeongtaek. Construction began in October 2015 and is currently ongoing, with completion scheduled for December 2023.