Traffic Jam Continues on Highway Before Lunar New Year Holiday... Seoul to Busan Takes 5 Hours 20 Minutes

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunmo Koo] On the evening of the 23rd, one day before the Lunar New Year holiday, traffic congestion is continuing on several sections of highways nationwide due to the influx of vehicles heading home.

According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 8 p.m. that day, the southbound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway toward Busan are congested over a 15 km stretch including Hannam to Seocho, near Jukjeon to Singal Junction, near Hoedeok Junction, near Daejeon Tunnel to Biryong Junction, and Dongdaegu Junction. In particular, the section from Ipjang to Jukam Rest Area toward Busan is experiencing a crawl of vehicles over 64 km.

The Seohaean Expressway toward Mokpo is moving at less than 40 km/h over a total of 28 km, including Seopyeongtaek Junction to Seohae Bridge, near Haemi to Hongseong, near Dongseocheon Junction to Gunsan, and near Seogimje to Seogimje.

The Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway is congested over a total of 41 km, including Yeoju Junction to Gamgok, near Gamgok, Chungju Junction to North Chungju, Goesan Rest Area to Jangyeon Tunnel, Mungyeong 2 Tunnel to Mungyeong Rest Area, and Nakdong Junction to Sangju Tunnel.

The Seoul Ring Expressway toward Guri is experiencing slow traffic over a 12 km stretch including near Gwangam Tunnel to Guri Namyangju Tollgate, and Jungdong to Songnae, while the Ilsan direction is congested over 8 km from Siheung Tollgate to Songnae.

Traffic congestion for homebound travelers is expected to peak between 6 and 7 p.m. that day and ease around 6 to 7 p.m. on the first day of the holiday, the 24th. The return direction is expected to experience congestion at usual Sunday levels during the afternoon hours and gradually clear from early morning on the 24th.

As of 9 p.m. that day, the estimated travel times by passenger car from Seoul Tollgate to major cities nationwide are: Busan 5 hours 20 minutes, Gwangju 5 hours, Ulsan 5 hours 10 minutes, Daegu 4 hours 30 minutes, Daejeon 3 hours 20 minutes, and Gangneung 2 hours 40 minutes.