Incheon City Prepares Traffic Safety Measures for Freight Parking Lots... Strengthening Freight Vehicle Traffic Restrictions in Songdo Area

Installation of Pedestrian Overpass Near Eunsong Elementary School
Development of Neighborhood Park Near Parking Lot

Aam Logistics Complex panorama
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City has prepared traffic safety measures for the surrounding area in relation to the installation of a cargo parking lot at Songdo Aam Logistics Complex 2 in Incheon Port.

On the 15th, the city announced that on the 9th, a meeting was held chaired by An Younggyu, Deputy Mayor of Incheon, with the attendance of Kim Byunggu, Chief of Incheon Police Agency, Choi Junwook, President of Incheon Port Authority, and Lee Wonjae, Director of Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority, to establish a “Comprehensive Measures for Resident Traffic Safety and Landscape Improvement.”

The meeting was held to address local residents’ concerns about traffic safety following last month’s announcement of the optimal site for the cargo parking lot.

First, starting in June, the city plans to strengthen restrictions on cargo truck traffic by additionally designating Incheon Tower-daero near the Aam Logistics Complex as a restricted zone for cargo trucks. However, construction cargo trucks will be allowed access if they obtain an entry permit issued by the National Police Agency.

For children’s safety, a pedestrian overpass will be installed near Eunsong Elementary School close to the logistics complex, and the speed limit in three school zones will be lowered from 50 km/h to 30 km/h.

Additionally, a large-scale neighborhood park will be created near Aam Logistics Complex 2 to block the view of port facilities and provide a resting space for local residents. An air quality monitoring station will also be installed near the cargo truck parking lot for continuous monitoring.

Meanwhile, since restricting cargo truck traffic on Gukjehangman-daero (Aam 1 Bridge) is currently difficult, the city will actively encourage cargo trucks to use Aam 2 and 3 Bridges for entry and exit. Furthermore, upon the opening of the Seoul Metropolitan Area 2nd Outer Ring Expressway, the city plans to actively consult with related agencies to consider restricting cargo truck traffic on Aam 1 Bridge.

Earlier last month, Incheon City confirmed Songdo Aam Logistics Complex 2 as the optimal site for the cargo truck parking lot in the Incheon Port hinterland area.

According to the site selection research results, among six candidate sites, Aam Logistics Complex 2 was deemed the most suitable for a cargo truck parking lot considering site conditions, surrounding environment, and economic feasibility.

However, Songdo residents submitted a petition to the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission on the 14th, urging the withdrawal of the parking lot construction plan, arguing that the cargo truck parking lot would seriously threaten children’s safety as well as cause noise and exhaust pollution.

The cargo truck parking lot at Aam Logistics Complex 2 was originally planned to be constructed by this year to accommodate 650 units of 5-ton trailers simultaneously within the complex, but the project has been delayed due to opposition from residents.