[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The 'Second Ring Road Jisan IC Exit' aimed at alleviating traffic congestion around Duam Town in Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, and improving accessibility for tourists visiting Mudeungsan will open on November 15.
According to Gwangju City on the 7th, the Second Ring Road Jisan IC was newly constructed with an investment of 7 billion KRW, featuring a total two-way length of 0.67 km and a width of 6.5 meters for the exit ramp.
The design and compensation were handled by Gwangju City, while the construction was undertaken by Gwangju Ring Road Investment Co., Ltd., a private corporation responsible for Section 1 of the Second Ring Road.
The newly opened Jisan IC exit differs from typical roads that exit using the right lane; instead, it exits through the first lane.
In other words, since vehicles exit toward the left direction, it is the exact opposite concept when considering vehicles traveling on the road.
Nationally, considering geographical or surrounding conditions, left-direction exits are also used on Seoul Gangbyeonbuk-ro, Ullimpik-daero, National Road No. 29 Hwasun Ramdeok Village, and Muan~Gwangju Expressway Muan Airport IC.
The Jisan IC exit was originally planned for the right direction, but during the residents' briefing session, complaints from residents requesting a change to the left direction due to noise damage, dust, and privacy protection in the densely populated residential area beneath the exit ramp led to multiple consultations with local residents, traffic experts, and the relevant police department, resulting in the decision to adopt a left-direction exit ramp.
To prevent confusion and accidents among drivers, Gwangju City installed speed limit signs and various traffic safety signs starting 2 km ahead of Jisan IC. Additionally, drivers using the first lane here were urged to reduce their speed.
As a measure to prevent accidents, Gwangju City, in consultation with the police department, decided to reduce the speed limit on the first lane from 90 km/h to 70 km/h starting 2 km from the main line section, and further limit it to 50 km/h from the last 1 km before entering Jisan IC.
To facilitate identification of the exit ramp, pink guide lines were painted on the first lane road surface for about 2 km, and exclusive text signs for the Jisan IC exit were marked at 100 m intervals. Additionally, 12 LED safety signs were installed at 100 m intervals in both Sansu Tunnel and Jisan Tunnel to help drivers recognize the exit direction and remaining distance to Jisan IC.
Moreover, although Jisan IC only has an exit ramp and no lanes leading onto the Second Ring Road main line, to prevent possible wrong-way driving, five "No Entry" texts and prohibition road markings were installed on the road surface, and ten "Absolutely No Entry" phrases and left/right turn prohibition signs were installed on structural walls and guardrails.
Kim Jaesik, Director of the Transportation and Construction Bureau of Gwangju City, stated, “We are fully prepared by additionally installing traffic safety facilities to ensure the safety of drivers. Since the first lane left-direction exit ramp may be unfamiliar to drivers, we ask those passing through this area to drive slowly and comply well with traffic regulations.”
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