Liberty Korea Party Busan City Party, "Deep Tunnel Road Construction Causes Citizen Anxiety, Communication Is the Only Solution"

Busan City and Construction Corporation Urge Collection of Residents' Opinions through Public Hearings

Liberty Korea Party logo. (Photo by Liberty Korea Party Busan Branch)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Yoseop] The Busan City Party of the Liberty Korea Party expressed that "citizens' anxiety about the construction of the Busan deep underground road is increasing" and stated that "communication is the only solution."

On the 28th, the Liberty Korea Party Busan City Party issued a statement saying, "To resolve citizens' safety concerns and complaints regarding the deep underground road construction being implemented throughout Busan, the city must collect opinions through resident public hearings, etc."

They continued, "Busan City and the deep underground road construction company should, even now, fully gather the opinions of the affected residents and hold explanatory meetings and public hearings to alleviate residents' anxiety and complaints," urging action.

The deep underground road is constructed by tunnel method, digging 30 to 60 meters underground to create an underground road. This is being implemented for the purpose of balanced development between the east and west of Busan and to alleviate traffic congestion.

The deep underground road, Gimhae New Airport Expressway (Gamjeon-dong to Songjeong-dong, total 22.8 km), is expected to reduce travel time from Gimhae Airport to Haeundae from around 80 minutes to 30 minutes and decrease traffic volume on Hwangnyeong Tunnel, Gwangandaegyo Bridge, etc., by 30%. The Inner Circular Urban Expressway (Mandeok to Centum, 9.62 km) is also expected to shorten travel time from 42 minutes to 30 minutes once completed.

The Liberty Korea Party Busan City Party explained, "The deep underground road project is part of building core infrastructure for the Northeast Asian maritime capital, promoting balanced development of Busan and resolving traffic congestion."

The Busan City Party pointed out, "The problem is that despite growing citizen anxiety and various complaints about the safety of underground space development projects like the deep underground road, there is a lack of communication efforts from Busan City and the construction company to resolve these issues."

They also criticized, "Roads constructed in underground spaces have various environmental pollution issues such as indoor air quality and smoke exhaust, requiring numerous ventilation facilities. Underground roads are vulnerable to fires and earthquakes, and there are concerns about sinkhole occurrences due to groundwater leakage."

Furthermore, "Near the planned construction site of the Inner Circular Urban Expressway (Mandeok to Centum), there are many high-rise apartments, elementary schools, and daycare centers, causing significant resident anxiety about safety issues related to the dynamite blasting process," they expressed concern.

The Liberty Korea Party Busan City Party stated, "On the 4th, there was an incident where the construction company transplanted 18 large roadside trees without prior notice, but due to strong protests from residents, the trees were restored to their original state," and sharply criticized, "All problems arise from ignoring citizens' opinions and unilaterally pushing forward the project."

Lee Juhwan, chief spokesperson of the Liberty Korea Party Busan City Party, emphasized again, "Ultimately, communication with residents is the solution to the problem," and said, "Busan City and the construction company must, even now, fully collect the opinions of the affected residents and prepare active measures to alleviate residents' anxiety and complaints through resident explanatory meetings or public hearings."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.