Naju-si Selected for National Bicycle Route Maintenance Project Led by Ministry of the Interior and Safety

Published 22 Jun.2023 16:34(KST)

Naju City in Jeollanam-do is connecting the section of the Yeongsan River (Munpyeongcheon) bicycle path that had been cut off due to the demolition of a river bridge, thanks to its selection in a government public contest project.

Site of the cantilever-type bicycle path connection section at the confluence of Munpyeongcheon and Yeongsangang River<br>[Photo by Naju City]

Site of the cantilever-type bicycle path connection section at the confluence of Munpyeongcheon and Yeongsangang River
[Photo by Naju City]

On the 22nd, the city announced that it had been selected as a target site for the ‘2023 National Long-Distance Bicycle Path Maintenance’ project, which was publicly contested by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

This project promotes the activation of bicycle use and the creation of safe bicycle paths by discovering new national long-distance bicycle paths, connecting disconnected sections, and maintaining existing route roads.

Through the project selection, the city secured a special grant of 400 million KRW.

Starting in the second half of this year, a cantilever-type bicycle path (connecting deck) with a total length of 320m and width of 3m will be newly constructed at the disconnected section of the bicycle path at the confluence of Munpyeongcheon and the Yeongsan River in Gahung-ri, Dasi-myeon.

This bicycle path has been completely disconnected since 2020 due to the demolition of the river-crossing bridge (Hoeryong Bridge) as part of the Munpyeongcheon disaster recovery construction aimed at flood prevention.

Due to the bridge demolition, the existing route was changed to a detour along a farm road beside the river, connecting to a curved bridge roadway, causing inconvenience to bicycle users and posing safety risks between vehicles.

Once the bicycle path crossing Munpyeongcheon is connected, it is expected to greatly contribute not only to improving user safety and convenience but also to the creation of the Yeongsan River Premium 300-ri Bicycle Path, a key project promoted during the 8th local government administration.

Jeollanam-do has been conducting a feasibility study for the Yeongsan River 300-ri Bicycle Path project since last November, and Naju City also started the detailed design service for the national rivers (Yeongsan River and Jiseokcheon) bicycle path construction in May this year.

After the detailed design, by 2025, the city plans to invest 2 billion KRW of national funds to connect the disconnected sections of ‘Sanpo Drainage Pump Station to Jiseokcheon Riverside Road’ and ‘Deokcheon Field to Yeongsan Riverside Road,’ as well as to repair the aging bicycle path section from ‘Naju Bridge to Yeongsan River Retention Basin.’

Construction is progressing smoothly with the goal of completing the Donggang Neureoji Observatory bicycle path section of the Yeongsan River Manbongcheon bicycle path project next month and the Ungok-dong bicycle path by December next year.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “Through the National Long-Distance Bicycle Path Maintenance Project, we plan to connect partially disconnected bicycle path sections and create a network-type premium bicycle path linking the old downtown and the innovation city.”

He added, “We will promote regional tourism and economic revitalization by attracting events and bicycle tourists through the creation of the Yeongsan River Premium 300-ri Bicycle Path.”