Anseong City Reopens National Route 34 After Bridge Deck Collapse Repairs Completed

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Chan-hyuk] Anseong City has reopened traffic on National Route 34, which had been closed due to an accident during the Sejong-Pocheon Expressway construction.

In the meantime, the Korea Expressway Corporation has conducted safety inspections of the bridge pylons near National Route 34 and subsequent environmental impact assessments, while carrying out restoration work including debris removal below the Cheongryong Stream Bridge to prevent secondary damage.

On March 4, the city confirmed the site with relevant agencies including the Daejeon Regional Construction Management Administration and decided to reopen the road after determining that the restoration work had been completed.

Following the accident, the city established a Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters chaired by Mayor Kim Bo-ra and operated related agency meetings and emergency response teams to support bereaved families.

The city also established emergency communication systems between the project owner and construction companies, while continuing to provide professional psychological counseling to victims' families, witnesses, and residents.

Mayor Kim stated, "The reopening of National Route 34 prioritizes safety assurance above all, and considering the inconvenience residents have experienced, active and comprehensive compensation must be provided. For those suffering mental distress from this accident, we will do our best to ensure that group counseling at community centers and other venues continues steadily."

Meanwhile, Anseong City, the Korea Expressway Corporation, and the construction companies held a residents' briefing session on March 4, coinciding with the road's reopening, regarding various compensation matters including transportation fee subsidies for residents.