Daejeon Mayor Lee Jangwoo: "Children's Traffic Safety Is the Top Priority... Emergency Support for Baegun Elementary School Route"

6 Billion Won in Special Adjustment Grants Allocated
for Undergrounding Utility Poles and Expanding Sidewalks

Photo by Daejeon City

Daejeon Mayor Lee Jangwoo stated that “the safety of students commuting to school takes priority over jurisdictional responsibility” regarding the school route to Baegun Elementary School, where five Korea Electric Power Corporation utility poles make it difficult for students to commute. He added, “We will promptly proceed with the undergrounding of the utility poles and the expansion of the sidewalk.”

During a meeting with residents of Dunsan Xi I-Park on the afternoon of the 24th, Mayor Lee said, “Children’s traffic safety is the highest priority,” and announced, “We have decided to urgently allocate city finances to carry out the project.”

The school route to Baegun Elementary School is extremely narrow, with an average sidewalk width of about one meter. Five utility poles are located along a 180-meter section, making it difficult for students to walk side by side. When it rains, the use of umbrellas further narrows the passage, repeatedly forcing students to step onto the road during commuting hours, creating a dangerous situation.

Although this school route is managed by the Seo-gu District Office as it is on a road less than 20 meters wide, Daejeon City’s decision to directly fund and implement the project is a bold administrative move that prioritizes practical safety over jurisdictional boundaries among local governments.

Photo by Daejeon City

This improvement project consists of undergrounding the utility poles (project cost: 300 million won) and expanding the sidewalk (length: 150 meters, width: 1.5 meters, project cost: 300 million won), with the city providing the full total of 600 million won. Korea Electric Power Corporation will be responsible for the undergrounding, while the Seo-gu District Office will handle the sidewalk expansion. Under the city’s mediation, the Office of Education and Baegun Elementary School will provide part of the school’s land for the sidewalk.

The project is scheduled to be completed within one to two months during the winter vacation period to avoid disrupting students’ classes.

Mayor Lee Jangwoo said, “The moment our children feel unsafe on their way to school, regulations sitting on an administrative desk become meaningless. Daejeon City will take responsibility and swiftly make improvements so that children can go to school safely.”

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