From Toegye-ro 2-ga to Gwanghui-dong Intersection, Lane Reduction and Pedestrian Area Expanded Up to 3 Times

Seoul City to Complete 2.6km Road Space Reorganization Project on Toegye-ro by Month-End
New Bicycle Lanes, Ddareungi, and Nanum Car Services Created... Revitalizing Commercial and Tourist Areas
Upon Completion of 'Sejong-daero Saram Supgil,' a 4.8km Pedestrian Paradise Connecting Downtown History, Culture, and Attractions

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 8th that it will complete the 'Toegye-ro Road Space Reorganization Project' by the end of this month, covering a 1.5 km section from Toegye-ro 2-ga Intersection to Gwanghui-dong Intersection, connecting Myeongdong Station, Chungmuro Station, and Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station.

The road space reorganization project aims to reduce lanes on 22 roads within the Four Great Gates by 2025 and create infrastructure for walking, cycling, public transportation, and shared transportation, transforming the car-centric traffic environment into pedestrian-friendly and green spaces.

Following the first phase completed in 2018, which covered a 1.1 km section from Hoehyeon Station to Toegye-ro 2-ga, the remaining second phase is now finishing, completing the entire 2.6 km Toegye-ro as an eco-friendly pedestrian-centered space. Furthermore, once the 'Sejong-daero Saramsup-gil' is completed early next year, a total of 4.8 km of central Seoul roads will be transformed into pedestrian paradises.

Additionally, once the road space reorganization projects underway in Chungmuro, Changgyeonggung-ro, and Jangchungdan-ro are completed, a bicycle path connecting Toegye-ro to Cheonggyecheon Stream and the Han River will open, creating a popular cycling destination.

The second phase of the Toegye-ro space reorganization (1.5 km) first reduced two lanes from the wide 6 to 8 lanes in both directions, and expanded the previously narrow sidewalks, which were about 2 to 3 meters wide and barely passable, up to 6 to 7 meters, tripling their width. Considering the characteristics of Toegye-ro, which hosts large commercial areas such as Jinyang Shopping Center, Motorcycle Shopping Center, and Pet Supplies Store, eight tailored loading/unloading parking spaces (14 spots) and one dedicated motorcycle unloading parking space (10 spots) were newly created to facilitate convenient loading and unloading for surrounding merchants.

A bicycle lane, previously nonexistent, was newly established throughout the entire section, designed as a separated shared path for bicycles and pedestrians, with dense pavement markings and safety signs to prevent overlap of bicycle and pedestrian routes. Four Ddareungi rental stations (40 bikes) and three Nanum Car rental stations (5 parking spots) were also newly installed.

Bus stops in this section were designed as 'bus bays' recessed toward the sidewalk, making it easier for buses to stop and improving convenience for bus users.

Green belts were created in available spaces without affecting the pedestrian environment, and street trees were planted in two rows. In particular, a multi-layered planting of shrubs and herbaceous plants was done around the pine trees symbolizing Jung-gu, creating an urban forest that offers a refreshing landscape throughout all four seasons.

A representative from Jinyang Shopping Center said, "Once the Toegye-ro Road Space Reorganization Project is completed, the surrounding environment will be much fresher, attracting more tourists and visitors to the shopping area," adding, "We hope this will be an opportunity to revitalize the Toegye-ro commercial district through improved pedestrian environments."

Hwang Bo-yeon, Director of Urban Transportation at Seoul City, stated, "The road space reorganization project prioritizes people and the environment over cars and is a necessary direction for Seoul's sustainable development, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions," and added, "With the completion of the Toegye-ro space reorganization project followed by the creation of Sejong-daero Saramsup-gil, citizens will be able to tangibly experience changes in their daily lives through the dramatically improved pedestrian environment."