Seoul City to Bury Power Lines and Remove Utility Poles in 'Undergrounding Project' Focused on Jongno, Gangbuk, and Gangseo Districts

Total Budget of 149.9 Billion KRW
Undergrounding Project Sections Nearly Quadrupled Compared to Last Year

The underground utility project around Eungam Five-way Intersection in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul has been completed. (Provided by Seoul City)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 10th that it will implement the "undergrounding project," which involves burying or installing power lines underground and removing utility poles, in 40 locations this year.

The project covers a total distance of 29.32 km, including Dobong-ro in Gangbuk-gu, Jibong-ro in Jongno-gu, and Gonghang-daero 36-gil in Gangseo-gu, nearly four times the length compared to last year. The total budget is 149.9 billion KRW.

To reduce disparities in undergrounding rates, the city selected 28 out of the 40 sites to be renovated this year (70% of the total) in the northeastern and southwestern areas. The selection method was changed from a system based on district applications to one led by the city. Priority was given to areas with high pedestrian traffic, such as station areas and tourist districts, where improvements are urgently needed, considering regional balance, pedestrian environment improvement, urban landscape, and regional economic revitalization effects.

Upon completion of this year's projects, the undergrounding rate across Seoul is expected to increase to 60.03%. Over the past 15 years, the city has continuously promoted undergrounding projects for overhead distribution lines spanning 87 km, investing approximately 379 billion KRW.

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