Suwon Expands School Routes for Jowon Middle, Jowon High, and Suwon Ilbo High Schools

[Suwon Ilbo=Correspondent Seo Dong-young] The school routes surrounding three schools located in Jowon-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon will be expanded. Beginning in the second half of next year, students are expected to be able to walk more safely.

The city announced on the 5th a change to the urban management plan (roads) for the area around lot 681-44 to secure the school route between Juwanmal Intersection in Jowon-dong and Suwon Ilbo High School.

This road is the main school route used by approximately 2,600 students and staff from Jowon High School, Jowon Middle School, and Suwon Ilbo High School, and is also used by hikers visiting nearby Gwanggyo Mountain. The road is 12 meters wide with two lanes in each direction, and the sidewalk is 2 meters wide, but with utility poles installed, the effective sidewalk width is only approximately 1.2 meters.

When students from all three schools arrived and left simultaneously, many students would spill over onto the roadway. When it rained, umbrellas would collide, adding to the inconvenience.

To ensure the safety of students exposed to vehicle accident risks, the city consulted with related agencies and underwent urban planning committee deliberation to decide on sidewalk expansion.

The sidewalk width on the school side will be expanded from 2 meters to 4 meters or more. A small plaza of 7 meters or wider will be created around the crosswalk at the school entrance to be used as a signal-waiting space and rest area.

To minimize the reduction of school property and damage to school facilities due to sidewalk expansion, the city plans to relocate traffic lanes by maximizing the use of unused municipal land across from the schools.

Following proper procedures, the city will complete development plan approval and compensation for some private properties, then begin construction. The city expects the school route improvements to be completed in the second half of next year.

A city official stated, “The school route will be dramatically improved, allowing students in the area and hikers to have safer and more comfortable pedestrian passage.”