Suwon Special City to Pilot 'Car-Free Street' in Haengung-dong

[Suwon Ilbo=Staff Reporter Jung Jun-sung] Suwon Special City announced on the 23rd that it will pilot a 'car-free street' program from March through April every Saturday along a 220-meter stretch from 34 Hwaseopmun-ro to 47 Shinpung-ro.

Vehicle traffic will be restricted for 4 hours from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday in March and April. The city will create a pedestrian-focused street where citizens can walk safely and comfortably.

The pilot program will be implemented through ongoing discussions including △survey analysis from Saebbit Talk Talk and card data analysis △resident autonomy committee and merchant association meetings (6 sessions) △arrangements for shared use of nearby school parking lots.

To this end, in January, through coexistence discussions between the resident autonomy committee and merchant association, it was agreed to reduce the operational area from the existing 320 meters to 220 meters and conduct a two-month pilot program.

The city plans to deploy on-site management personnel through operational services and systematically implement traffic control, pedestrian safety management, and on-site guidance. By sharing approximately 100 parking spaces at one nearby school parking lot, the city will reduce parking inconvenience for visitors and improve accessibility for merchants and residents.

During the pilot period, the city will review traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and changes in the commercial district, and will establish specific operational directions through consultations with residents and merchants.

A city official stated, "The pilot project has been made possible thanks to the continued interest and coexistence cooperation of the Haengung-dong resident autonomy committee and merchant association," and said, "We ask for citizens' interest and cooperation so that a pedestrian culture can take root, enabling citizens using Haengung-dong to enjoy a safe and pleasant walking environment."