Improvement of Dangerous Zones for Elderly Pedestrians Near Yongsan-gu Yongmun Market

[Seoul District News] Yongsan-gu Invests 89 Million KRW from Seoul City Budget to Create New Crosswalks, Install Pedestrian Signals, Lane Separators, and Anti-Slip Pavement Around Yongmun Market Intersection for Safer Walking Environment by Year-End

Park Hee-young, the mayor of Yongsan District, is visiting Yongmun Market on the 1st and having a conversation with the residents.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Heeyoung Park) is promoting an improvement project for the high-accident pedestrian zone at the Yongmun Market intersection until the end of the year.

In the past three years, a total of 9 pedestrian traffic accidents occurred near Yongmun Market. Among them, 6 involved elderly pedestrians. The causes of the accidents were identified as ▲4 cases while crossing ▲1 case while walking on the roadway ▲1 other case.

The Yongmun Market intersection connects the sections between Gongdeok Station - Yongsan Station and Seongsim Girls' High School - Hyochang Park Station. Frequent speeding (speed limit 30 km/h) occurs on this road. Many elderly visitors frequent the market, leading to frequent jaywalking.

Through this project, the district will implement ▲a new crosswalk around Yongmun Market Gate 1 ▲re-adjustment of stop lines and reinstallation of traffic signals (from flashing signals to pedestrian signals) around Yongmun Market Gate 2 ▲installation of lane dividers toward Yongsan Station at the Yongmun Market intersection ▲anti-slip pavement at intersections around Yongmun Market.

Resident Myungja Kim (female, 61) said, “Pedestrians leaving the market were mixed with vehicles heading toward Yongsan Station or Gongdeok Station, creating many safety hazards,” and added, “I welcome the improvement of the pedestrian environment so that people can visit the market safely.”

In November last year, the district conducted a joint inspection of high-accident elderly pedestrian zones with the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Seoul City. In May, the district requested project funds from the city and received 89 million KRW in city funds by the end of June.

From July, street trees in the area will be removed, and civil engineering work such as lowering crosswalk curbs and reorganizing sidewalks will be completed by September. Once pedestrian signals are installed, construction including the installation of traffic safety signs will be finished by December. The crosswalk signals will be installed by the Western Road Office.

District Mayor Heeyoung Park said, “Through this project, anyone will be able to visit Yongmun Market safely,” and added, “We will do our best to transform the district into a pedestrian-friendly city.”