Improvement of Pedestrian Environment at 10 Locations Including Sambong-ro Near the US Embassy in Jongno-gu

Construction to expand the existing sidewalk width by nearly twice, about 2m, along Sambong-ro in three sections... Also, pedestrian environment improvement work to begin in May on aging sidewalks around Saemunan-ro in front of Seoul Museum of History and Sejong-daero 21-gil behind Donghwa Duty Free Shop

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) is promoting a pedestrian environment improvement project on 10 roads around Gwanghwamun to ensure pedestrian safety and convenience.

First, the district has been carrying out the "Sambong-ro Area Pedestrian Environment Improvement Project," where the U.S. Embassy is located, since March. Sambong-ro is a place with a large floating population visiting Gwanghwamun Square and nearby cultural tourist sites, and there have been continuous complaints about traffic inconvenience due to police buses parked for security around the U.S. Embassy area.

Accordingly, after prior procedures including traffic review, design consultation, and meetings with officials from the U.S. Embassy and Jongno Police Station, construction will be carried out in a total of three sections to expand the existing sidewalk width by about 2 meters, nearly doubling it.

Additionally, from May, construction to improve the pedestrian environment will begin on the aging sidewalks in front of the Seoul Museum of History on Saemunan-ro and behind Dongwha Duty Free on Sejong-daero 21-gil.

Furthermore, pedestrian environment improvement projects will be implemented at a total of 10 locations including ▲ Jahamun-ro ▲ Sejong-daero 23-gil ▲ the path between Sejong-daero Park ▲ Yulgok-ro 2-gil ▲ Jongno-gil (next to Jongno 26), among others.

The extended pedestrian paths in this project total 2,364 meters in length and cover an area of 12,300 square meters.

Meanwhile, to preserve Jongno’s unique historical and cultural characteristics, the district will depart from the conventional uniform construction methods using concrete processed blocks or granite slabs and will carry out construction using an eco-friendly method employing only granite made of sand and stones.

Using granite with high rainwater permeability and recyclability allows for long-term maintenance, reduces repaving costs making it economical, and is also effective in improving urban aesthetics through surface processing and paving tailored to the characteristics of each area.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong said, “We hope that this pedestrian environment improvement project will enhance both pedestrian safety and satisfaction,” adding, “We will continue to strive to create comfortable, people-centered streets where pedestrians can walk safely with peace of mind.”

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