Jongno-gu Installs Road Heating in 18 Locations to Prevent Issues During Snowfall

by Kim Minjin

Published 23 Jan.2025 07:41(KST)

Jongno-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jeong Munheon) is receiving positive feedback for installing a ‘road heating system’ at a total of 18 locations within the district to ensure safe passage and create a convenient traffic environment for residents.

The hill road in Haengchon-dong, Jongno-gu, where the road heating system is operating. Provided by Jongno-gu.

The installation of road heating is popular among residents as it prevents slipping accidents during winter and facilitates smooth traffic flow. Accordingly, Jongno-gu carried out road heating construction at four locations?around Seoul International High School, Pyeongchang-gil, Dongmangsan-gil, and Hongjimun-gil?from August to October last year, before the onset of severe cold weather.

The priority for installation sites was given first to steep slopes with heavy traffic such as village bus routes, areas near schools, and densely populated residential sections; second priority was steep slopes where manual snow removal is difficult; and third priority was concrete-paved sections. As a result, by this winter, road heating installation totaling approximately 4,800 meters has been completed at 18 locations within the district, including Myeongnyun-gil, Sajik-ro, Bugaksan-ro, and Changdeokgung-gil in 2023.

Next year, 500 million KRW secured through the resident participation budget project will be invested to additionally install road heating by September on the uphill road at the main gate of Sangmyung University (100m), Jibong-ro 17-gil, Jongno 65-gil, and Dongsung 4na-gil.

In addition, the district will also focus on the ‘Road Slope Safety Facility Expansion Project’ this year. The target area is around Pyeongchang 20-gil near the Seoul Museum of Art Archive. Regular safety inspections revealed vulnerable rocks that could threaten residents’ safety and some trees that pose a risk of falling. Accordingly, 50 meters of aging rockfall prevention facilities will be replaced, and hazardous trees will be cut down to prevent safety accidents.

District Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, “We will conduct pre-inspections and maintenance to prevent frequent slipping accidents, rockfalls, and soil erosion on steep slopes, ensuring residents can use the roads safely.” He added, “We will gradually expand the areas with road heating installations to create a road environment where not only residents but also citizens and tourists passing through Jongno can feel safe and secure.”