Seoul City Begins Construction of 'Dongbu Ganseon Road Nowon Bridge Exit Ramp'... Opening Scheduled for End of Next Year

Dobong Underpass → Access to Dobong and Nowon Districts Possible... Nowon Bridge Lane Expanded by One
Traffic Volume Expected to Distribute at Sanggye Bridge Intersection

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul City announced on the 14th that it has commenced construction of a new ramp from Surak Overpass to Nowon Bridge on the Dongbu Expressway (Seongsu direction) to alleviate vehicle congestion caused by the reduced number of exits on the Dongbu Expressway after the opening of Dobong Underpass (Sanggye~Nokcheon Bridge) (from 4 exits to 2 exits), and plans to open it by the end of 2023.

The vehicle congestion occurred because the Dobong Underpass was originally planned to have 4 exits (Sanggye, Changdong, Nokcheon, Wolgye 1 Bridge), but to improve the local residential environment by reducing noise and dust, the Dobong Underpass was extended as a single route, reducing the number of exits to 2 (Sanggye and Wolgye 1 Bridge). This caused traffic volume to concentrate at the Sanggye Bridge intersection.

The "Nowon Bridge Exit Ramp Construction" involves installing an exit ramp from Surak Overpass to Nowon Bridge and expanding one lane on Nowon Bridge. This will allow vehicles on the Dongbu Expressway (Seongsu direction) to exit toward Dobong-gu (Dobong Station) and Nowon-gu (Suraksan Station), thereby resolving traffic inconveniences for local residents.

Additionally, it is expected that the traffic volume currently concentrated at the Sanggye Bridge intersection will be dispersed. Vehicles using the exit toward Sanggye Bridge are projected to decrease by approximately 17.6% (3,188 vehicles/day), from 18,105 vehicles per day to 14,917 vehicles per day.

To quickly resolve residents' traffic inconveniences, the city plans to proceed with the construction using a fast-track method that combines design and construction simultaneously. Recently, with the river occupancy permit granted, the city will relocate embankment occupants (such as the Nowon-gu snow removal warehouse) that do not interfere with river functions during the rainy season, and after the monsoon, will begin relocating obstructing objects and structural work.

A Seoul city official stated, "Vehicle congestion caused by the lack of exits will be greatly alleviated," and added, "We will do our best to improve the quality of life for Seoul citizens through prompt implementation."