Changryongmun Intersection Elevated Plan Remains Unresolved

The installation plan for a cross passage (underground tunnel) at the Changryongmun intersection elevated structure, which was scheduled to be finalized on the 23rd, is now expected to be postponed until February.

On the morning of the 23rd, Suwon City Council members Hong Jong-soo (Yeonghwa, Yeonmu-dong) and Choi Jung-sung (Ji, Uman 1·2-dong), Provincial Councilor Lee Seung-chul, Construction and Transportation Bureau Director Choi Chul-gyoo, and officials from Suwon City and Gyeonggi Urban Corporation discussed the underground tunnel installation plan.(See related article in Suwon Ilbo, January 21)

At a meeting on the 20th, when it was suggested that a 4.5m-high underground tunnel for bus passage would be difficult to implement given road facility standards and current road conditions, an alternative proposal of installing a 3m-high passage to accommodate minibuses was presented.

Gyeonggi Urban Corporation presented two options to meet the 11% slope requirement for road facilities: Option 1, which involves removing part of Dongwon Park to secure road space, and Option 2, which involves purchasing and demolishing nearby buildings near the underground tunnel.

However, the Hwaseong Business Office insisted on a 4.5m height to accommodate tour buses, causing the meeting to face further difficulties.

Kim Chung-young, director of the Hwaseong Business Office, stated, "Although the exact location has not yet been confirmed, the area near the Yeonmu-dong Community Center serves as a gateway to the parking lot for Hwaseong tourism, so the underground tunnel height must be 4.5m."

Director Kim also said that expert opinions would be gathered to review the installation of a 4.5m-high underground tunnel, and if a 4.5m height installation proves impossible after the review, the 3m option would be adopted.

In response, the corporation expressed reluctance, citing approximately 2.5 billion won in financial burden from design changes, damage to Dongwon Park, and deterioration of traffic and residential environments due to bus traffic.

As a result, a mediation proposal was presented in which the Hwaseong Business Office would conduct a feasibility study for the 4.5m height installation and report results by February 10, leaving today's meeting without a clear conclusion.

The City Council, the city, and the corporation are scheduled to meet again on February 10 at 4 p.m. to discuss the underground tunnel installation plan.