Restoration of 'Ecological River' Suwon Stream Kicks Off

Suwon City will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Suwon Stream restoration project at 3 p.m. on the 21st in the Maegyo section and will restore the covered section from Maegyo to Jidong Bridge by the end of 2011.

According to the city, the project aims to recover the historical significance of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, restore the ecological environment of Suwon Stream to its original state, and return it to citizens' embrace, while also promoting economic revitalization of surrounding areas and balanced urban development. The city has been pursuing the Suwon Stream restoration project starting with a feasibility study in December 2006.

The Suwon Stream restoration project, which will involve total project costs of 67.62 billion won, includes the demolition of covered structures spanning 789m and river restoration spanning 825m. Additionally, road improvements on both sides of the river will be carried out over sections of 817m and 782m respectively.

The restored Suwon Stream will be equipped with five vehicular bridges including Jidong Bridge, Gucheon Bridge, Maegyo Bridge, Suwon Bridge, and U-turn Bridge, as well as three pedestrian bridges including Jidong Market Bridge, Yeongdong Market Bridge, and Gucheon Pedestrian Bridge. A bridge connecting the walking paths on both sides of the river will also be installed.

Additionally, various attractions will be created using Maegyo Park, green wetlands, ecological gardens, scenic squares, healing paths, and memory gardens, as well as art walls, wall fountains, and fountains.

Starting with the groundbreaking ceremony, the city plans to relocate obstacles in the Maegyo to Jidong Bridge section by December and temporarily improve roads on both sides of the river.

The city also plans to proceed with the demolition of covered roads and bridge construction from January 2010 through April 2011, and complete the restoration work by December 2011.

In this regard, Suwon Stream, which underwent covering work from 1991 to 1994 to alleviate traffic congestion, currently has a 780m section from Maegyo Bridge to Jidong Bridge covered in concrete, resulting in a 5.4km stretch of Suwon Stream being disconnected.

With the launch of the first elected mayor system in July 1995, the covering of Suwon Stream was halted and civic movements to develop it into a natural-form river began in earnest.

A city official stated, "We will restore Suwon Stream into a natural ecological river where fish and people can play freely," and added, "We plan to do our best to minimize inconvenience to residents during the restoration project."