Gwanak-gu, Underground Cable Installation on Back Streets Using New Undergrounding Technology

Application of New Construction Method Minimizing Road Excavation (Mini-Trenching) on 163m Section of Janggunbong 2-gil

Expected Improvement in Urban Aesthetics by Organizing Overhead Cables Tangled Like a Spider Web

Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) has been selected for the Ministry of Science and ICT’s ’2023 Pilot Project for Overhead Cable Undergrounding Using New Construction Method (Mini-Trenching)‘ and will undertake undergrounding of overhead cables tangled like a spider web in alleyways.

Due to the high population density and concentration of multi-family housing in Gwanak-gu, there is strong demand from residents for undergrounding overhead cables. However, cost burdens and road conditions have made it difficult to underground overhead cables on side streets.

Accordingly, the district introduced the ‘mini-trenching’ method, which differs from the conventional method of burying both utility poles and cables underground by minimally excavating the road and burying only the communication lines. This approach will be used to underground cables on side streets. Compared to the conventional method, the project duration is shortened by three times and costs are reduced by more than 70%.

The 163m section of ‘Janggunbong 2-gil’ in Gwanak-gu, selected as this year’s pilot project site, is a commercial area where communication cables are densely and lowly tangled, damaging the urban landscape and urgently requiring maintenance.

From March to July this year, the district conducted underground utility surveys (GPR) to assess the burial status, carried out obstacle removal, and coordinated with communication service providers to finalize the trenching route.

The finalized trenching route includes not only the originally planned longitudinal section but also a transverse section, enabling undergrounding of more communication cables. Starting in August, the district will begin preliminary work such as replacing utility poles and maintaining manholes, hold a residents’ briefing session, and complete the mini-trenching pilot project by October.

The district expects this mini-trenching pilot project to effectively improve urban aesthetics as perceived by residents.

A district official stated, “We will continue to promote overhead cable maintenance projects to create a clean walking environment.”

Meanwhile, if any overhead cables requiring maintenance are found, residents can report them to the Overhead Cable Maintenance Call Center.

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