[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Cho] On the morning of the last day of the Chuseok holiday, the 22nd, nationwide expressways are experiencing congestion in various places due to returning vehicles.
According to Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 9:10 a.m. that day, the Seoul-bound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway are congested in sections such as near Oksan to near Cheongju Rest Area for 14 km, and near Hanseong Rest Area to Namsa for 4 km.
The Seoul-bound lanes of the Seohaean Expressway are congested for a 5 km section near Dangjin Junction. On the Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway heading toward Yangpyeong, vehicle movement is delayed in a 4 km section near Yeoju Junction. Additionally, on the Jungbu Line heading toward Hanam, vehicles are repeatedly stopping and going in sections such as near Seocheongju for 4 km, from Jeungpyeong to near Jincheon Tunnel for 3 km, and near Iljuk for 4 km.
As of 9 a.m. that day, the estimated travel times by passenger car from major cities nationwide to the Seoul tollgate are: Busan 5 hours 20 minutes, Mokpo 4 hours 10 minutes, Ulsan 5 hours, Gwangju 3 hours 50 minutes, Daegu 4 hours 20 minutes, Daejeon 2 hours 20 minutes, and Gangneung 2 hours 40 minutes.
National traffic volume was predicted to be 4.7 million vehicles. Of these, the Korea Expressway Corporation expects 490,000 vehicles to move from provincial areas to the metropolitan area, and 340,000 vehicles to move from the metropolitan area to provincial areas. Congestion in the returning direction started from 7 to 8 a.m., is expected to be worst between 4 and 5 p.m., and to clear up between 10 and 11 p.m.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
