Gwangsan-gu Sochon Railroad Crossing Construction in Gwangju 'Reimplemented' Reflecting Residents' Requests

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The 'Sochon Level Crossing Grade Separation Construction,' which had continuously raised issues and demanded measures for residents' convenience and safety, will be resumed reflecting residents' requests.

According to Gwangsan District Council of Gwangju Metropolitan City (Chairman Bae Hongseok) on the 8th, a residents' briefing session was held on the 5th at the construction site situation room with attendance from Gwangsan District Council members Guk Ganghyun and Park Hyunseok, district and Railroad Facilities Corporation officials, the contractor, and resident representatives.

On that day, an agreement was reached on the plan for handling civil complaints and a pledge was signed to promptly implement the plan as designed.

The main agreed points include ▲ installation of elevators for the mobility-impaired and relocation of the electrical room to secure pedestrian pathways ▲ adjustment of the pavement layer and installation of retaining wall structures to ease the steep slope of the underground pedestrian passage ▲ consideration of pedestrian safety and convenience through handrails and anti-slip pavement.

Additionally, two unsightly stairway exits were partially demolished and canopies installed to improve aesthetics, and additional safety facilities were installed for the steep stairways.

The resolution of civil complaints regarding this construction is said to be partly due to the efforts of Gwangsan District Council members who publicized the issues and urged the resolution of complaints to reflect residents' demands.

In particular, Councilman Park Hyunseok continuously demanded improvement measures from Gwangju City and, during a 5-minute free speech at the 246th regular session of the Gwangsan District Council in June last year, publicized the issues by stating, “Urgent countermeasures are needed for the Sochon Level Crossing Grade Separation Construction, which does not reflect fire truck passage and facilities for the mobility-impaired.”

He also led a residents' briefing session hosted by Gwangju City, conveyed the complaints to the implementer and contractor, and insisted on opposing the completion inspection until residents' complaints were resolved.

Councilman Guk Ganghyun proposed during last year's administrative audit that efforts are needed to prepare future plans for Gwangsan District following the construction halt and to guarantee the mobility rights of the mobility-impaired through coordination with related departments.

Meanwhile, the Sochon Level Crossing Grade Separation Construction began in 2015 due to narrow pedestrian paths and habitual congestion during commuting hours and was nearing completion in July 2019.

However, as the formwork was removed at the construction site, conflicts escalated due to various issues such as the slope at the entrance and exit, steep stairs, fire truck inaccessibility, and the location of the electrical room, leading to a construction halt on August 11 last year.

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