Gyeongbu, Seohaean, and Jungbu Expressways
All Experiencing Traffic Delays
On the second day of the Chuseok holiday, the 19th, vehicles are moving slowly toward Busan on the Gyeongbu Expressway near Jamwon IC in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] On the 20th, one day before Chuseok, nationwide traffic volume is estimated at 4.05 million vehicles, with highways across the country congested in the morning due to returning holiday travelers. The congestion is expected to peak around noon.
According to Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 8 a.m. that day, the Gyeongbu Expressway heading toward Busan is experiencing slow traffic over a 23 km stretch near Dongtan Junction to Namsa and near Cheonan to Cheonan Rest Area.
The Seohaean Expressway heading toward Mokpo is congested over a 15 km stretch from Paltan Junction to Hwaseong Rest Area and from Seopyeongtaek Junction to Seohae Bridge due to increased vehicles.
The Jungbu Expressway toward Namyi is experiencing delays over a 7 km stretch near Majang Rest Area to Moga, and the Yeongdong Expressway toward Gangneung is delayed over a 6 km stretch near Yongin to Yangji Tunnel.
The Seoul-Yangyang Expressway heading toward Yangyang is congested over a 4 km stretch near Hwado to Seojong and near Namyangju Tollgate.
The nationwide traffic volume for the day is forecasted at 4.05 million vehicles. Of these, the Korea Expressway Corporation expects 390,000 vehicles to move from the metropolitan area to local regions and 410,000 vehicles from local regions to the metropolitan area.
At 9 a.m., the estimated travel times by passenger car from Seoul Tollgate to major cities nationwide are: Busan 5 hours 30 minutes, Ulsan 5 hours 10 minutes, Daegu 4 hours 30 minutes, Gwangju 3 hours 40 minutes, Daejeon 2 hours 20 minutes, and Gangneung 2 hours 40 minutes.
The Expressway Corporation anticipates that congestion toward hometowns will begin between 6 and 7 a.m., peak between 11 a.m. and noon, and ease around 7 to 8 p.m. Traffic heading back is expected to be relatively smooth.
A corporation official said, "Because it is the day before Chuseok, congestion toward hometowns will be concentrated and much heavier than usual Saturdays."
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