Seongdong-gu Removes 150 Utility Poles and Overhead Wires to Secure Safe School Routes

Creating a Safe Walking Environment through Maintenance of Utility Poles and Overhead Lines around 41 Elementary, Middle, and High Schools in the Area... Comprehensive and Systematic Maintenance Promoted through Public-Private Cooperation among Seongdong-gu, KEPCO, and KT

Photo after minimizing sidewalk facilities and relocating utility poles at Dongmyeong Elementary School, Seongdong-gu last year

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) will renovate 150 utility poles and defective aerial wires that threaten safety among 1,620 utility poles near 41 elementary, middle, and high schools in the district by 2023.

The plan is to actively create safe school routes by organizing utility poles and aerial wires that cause pedestrian inconvenience, are aged or overloaded, and tangled overhead electric and communication lines.

In 2019, the district signed the first nationwide MOU for relocating inconvenient utility poles with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and KT, and by last year, 60 poles were relocated or removed. This year, 30 poles and an additional 60 poles by 2023 will be renovated.

In particular, last year, a total of 9 utility poles on the narrow school route of Dongmyeong Elementary School, with a minimum width of 114cm, were renovated, minimizing and integrating road signs and other sidewalk facilities to create a safe school route.

Accordingly, the district plans to complete a full survey of utility poles in the area by April this month, prioritize areas around schools, and prepare preventive administrative measures such as imposing conditions for relocating inconvenient utility poles during building review and permits. The district will also comprehensively and systematically renovate tangled electric and communication lines through mutual cooperation among government ministries, KEPCO, and KT.

Additionally, since 2013, through the 'Aerial Cable Maintenance Promotion Team' composed of Seongdong-gu Office, Korea Electric Power Corporation, KEPCO KDN, KT, and seven broadcasting and communication operators, the district has completed maintenance of defective aerial wire projects over 157.9 km in 17 designated zones. This year, the district plans to strengthen aerial cable maintenance projects by collecting residents' opinions and linking with urban regeneration projects for prompt maintenance.

Parent Jeon 00 said, “I was always worried whenever I saw children going to and from school, but now that the utility poles have been removed, I feel relieved. As a parent, I can feel safe knowing that children can go to school safely.”

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “As Seongdong-gu has recorded the lowest number of pedestrian traffic accidents among the 25 autonomous districts of Seoul over the past three years, we will continue proactive administration to ensure our children can travel most safely without separating sidewalks and roads.”