'Road Mines' Pothole Prevention: High-Strength Concrete Pavement at Gangnam-gu Bus Stops

Applied to 9 Bus Stops on Busy Seolleung-ro
Improving Vehicle Traffic Flow and Reducing Splashing During Monsoon Season

The appearance after concrete road construction in Gangnam-gu. Provided by Gangnam-gu.

Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) announced on the 3rd that it has paved 186 meters of roads around nine bus stops on Seolleung-ro, where vehicle traffic is heavy, with "high-strength precast concrete" to prevent potholes.

This is the first time among Seoul's autonomous districts that bus stop roads, previously paved with asphalt, have been replaced and paved with concrete.

Potholes refer to irregular holes or damages that occur on the road surface. When cracks form on the road surface, water seeps in, freezes, and expands, creating internal voids. The weight of vehicles on the weakened road eventually causes holes to form.

Recently, due to climate changes such as heatwaves and heavy rainfalls, as well as increased use of de-icing agents, the number of potholes has surged, repeatedly occurring in sections with heavy vehicle traffic like bus stops. Nicknamed "landmines of the road," they increase the risk of traffic accidents and cause water splashing during the rainy season.

To proactively address this issue, the district, which has been continuously conducting repair work, decided to introduce durable concrete pavement for bus stop road repairs. Last year, a field survey was conducted on Seolleung-ro, the arterial road with the highest bus routes and traffic volume, selecting nine bus stops with frequent potholes as project sites. The construction was completed by the end of June.

For the road work in front of bus stops with heavy traffic, a patented precast method was applied, assembling high-strength concrete panels manufactured in advance at the factory on-site, drastically reducing installation time.

The district stated, "After the completion of the construction, a satisfaction survey was conducted among bus transport companies and users, showing over 80% satisfaction regarding pothole reduction and project expansion." They added, "We plan to expand the introduction of concrete to bus stops next year as well."

District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong said, "With the introduction of concrete pavement, we expect to strengthen the durability of roads around bus stops and significantly reduce accident risks and inconveniences caused by potholes." He also stated, "We will prioritize road safety and residents' convenience to improve the road environment."

Pothole Prevention Project Bus Stop Locations. Provided by Gangnam-gu.

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