Creation of 'Smart Complex Shelters' in 8 Locations Nationwide Including Goesan and Gimje

Development of 8 Sites Including Goesan, Gimje, Namhae, Sancheong, Yeongwol, Yeonggwang, Uljin, and Hoengseong
Promoting 'Smart Complex Rest Areas' Featuring Regional Characteristics and the Latest Smart Infrastructure

[Asia Economy Reporter Kangwook Cho] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 1st that it has selected eight locations?Goesan-gun, Gimje-si, Namhae-gun, Sancheong-gun, Yeongwol-gun, Yeonggwang-gun, Uljin-gun, and Hoengseong-gun?as target areas for the Smart Complex Rest Area Development Project this year.

The Smart Complex Rest Area project is a collaborative initiative jointly promoted by the government and local governments to provide integrated services for user convenience, such as experiences, exhibitions, and information provision, at drowsy rest areas along national highways.

Last year, the first pilot project was conducted, selecting five locations?Buan-gun, Goheung-gun, Hadong-gun, Inje-gun, and Okcheon-gun?with construction underway aiming for completion by the end of this year. This year, the project has been expanded to select eight locations nationwide.

Each selected project will receive a budget of approximately 3 billion KRW or more (2 billion KRW from the government + 1 billion KRW or more from local governments).

To successfully develop and operate the project, various consultations will be provided through collaboration with national research institutes and academia, including architectural designs harmonizing with the landscape and sustainable operation plans involving local residents.

By next month, consultations on project promotion plans will be held between local governments and the relevant road management authorities, followed by detailed design work from May to visualize each rest area, with construction scheduled to begin by the end of this year.

In particular, to ensure the rest areas harmonize well with surrounding areas, design competitions will be held considering location and scenery, and continuous discussions will be held regarding the installation and operation plans for hydrogen vehicle charging stations.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport expects that if the Smart Complex Rest Areas are completed as planned next year, they will not only provide safe and comfortable drowsy rest facilities for users of general national highways but also develop into regional hub facilities, playing a catalyst role in balanced regional development, job creation, and increasing income in rural fishing villages.

Juhyun Jong, Director of the Road Bureau at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "We plan to continuously expand the project so that various smart complex rest area models can be created to provide convenience to road users and revitalize the local economy."

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