Opening of Heolleung-ro Central Bus-Only Lane... Completion of Gangnam-daero Bus Lane

Yeongdong 1-gyo to Cheonggyesan Ipgu Intersection 1.5km Section
Gangnam-daero Bus-Only Lane Expanded to Total 9.5km
Alleviating Traffic Congestion and Improving Bus Travel Speed

The central bus-only lane axis connecting Gangnam-daero in Seoul to the Naegok area has been completed. As the operating speed of city buses and metropolitan buses increases, accessibility to the Gangnam area is expected to improve significantly.

On the 5th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the central bus-only lane installed on a section of about 1.5 km from Yeongdong 1-gyo, the end part of the Gangnam-daero central bus-only lane, to the Heolleung-ro Cheonggyesan Entrance intersection, will open from the 11th.

New central bus-only lane section connecting Yeongdong 1-gyo to Heolleung-ro Cheonggyesan Entrance Intersection. Provided by Seoul City

The Heolleung-ro central bus-only lane has been in operation to build public transportation infrastructure in response to increased traffic demand due to the development of the southeastern area of Seoul (Naegok and Segok districts, etc.). Following the opening of Section 1 (Cheonggyesan Entrance Intersection to Naegok IC), about 3.2 km, in July 2023, Section 2 to Yeongdong 1-gyo on Gangnam-daero will open this year, connecting a total of 4.7 km.

In particular, with the opening of Section 2, the central bus-only lanes connecting Gangnam-daero and Heolleung-ro have been linked into one after 20 years. A bus axis connecting the southeastern area has been created as a total of 9.5 km from Sinsa Station to Naegok IC is directly connected. This opening connects the previously disconnected Section 2, 1.5 km, between the Gangnam-daero central bus-only lane (opened in 2004, 4.8 km) and Section 1 of the Heolleung-ro central bus-only lane (3.2 km). The central bus-only lane stretching 9.5 km from Sinsa Station to Naegok IC is now continuous.

Four new central bus stops in both directions will be installed within the opened section. In the section in front of Maehun Citizen’s Forest, where many metropolitan buses pass, both curbside stops and central stops will be operated separately to efficiently manage bus traffic. In the curbside stop section at Maehun Citizen’s Forest, where traffic congestion is severe, one additional lane has been secured (5 lanes one way → 6 lanes) so that traffic flow on Gangnam-daero remains smooth even while passengers board and alight at the curbside stop.

To minimize inconvenience to nearby residents caused by the installation of the central bus-only lane, Seoul City plans to retain the curbside stop (ID 22298) in front of the aT Center and the U-turn lane, reflecting the majority of residents’ requests raised at the residents’ briefing session. Seoul City Transportation Director Yeojang-gwon said, "We thank the residents who cooperated with the construction of the Heolleung-ro central bus-only lane despite the inconveniences such as traffic congestion caused by the construction," and added, "We will strive to expand infrastructure and improve services to enhance the efficiency and convenience of public transportation in the southeastern area of Seoul."

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