Operation as a Public Transport-Only Zone with Continuous Bus and Emergency Vehicle Access from 10 PM on October 9
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seodaemun-gu (Mayor Seongheon Lee) announced that it will end the operation of the "car-free street" on the 9th at 10 PM to improve traffic accessibility in Sinchon and restore the commercial district, creating Yonsei-ro for residents, local merchants, and pedestrians alike.
Yonsei-ro is designated as a public transportation-only zone for about 500 meters from Sinchon Rotary (Sinchon Subway Station) to the Yonsei University intersection. From 2 PM on Fridays, when the weekend begins, until 10 PM on Sundays, it has been operated as a "car-free street" prohibiting all vehicles, including buses.
With the end of the "car-free street" operation, Yonsei-ro will be operated as a public transportation-only zone 365 days a year, including weekends, allowing only buses (passenger vehicles with 16 seats or more) and emergency vehicles to pass at all times. Taxis will be allowed only from midnight to 4 AM, the time when public transportation is inconvenient to use.
The "car-free street," implemented since 2014, has faced continuous complaints from nearby merchants requesting vehicle access due to commercial district stagnation, and from residents concerned about pedestrian safety and noise caused by increased alley traffic from detouring vehicles.
The district decided to end the "car-free street" operation after collecting opinions through pedestrian and Sinchon user surveys, consultations with related organizations, and residents' briefings, aiming to revitalize the empty roadway except during large-scale festivals.
Although there are concerns about the decline of cultural activities on Yonsei-ro following the end of the car-free street operation, the district plans to encourage various cultural activities by utilizing existing Star Plaza, pedestrian rest areas, and Changcheon Cultural Park performance venues, and by controlling traffic on Yonsei-ro during large-scale festivals.
Additionally, to ensure pedestrian safety, the current sidewalk width will be maintained, and various traffic safety facilities will be newly installed to provide a pleasant walking environment.
Initially, Seodaemun-gu planned to simultaneously lift the public transportation-only zone designation and end the "car-free street" operation, but it will prioritize ending the "car-free street" operation first. Once Seoul City officially lifts the public transportation-only zone designation, all vehicles including buses will be allowed to pass 24/7.
Seongheon Lee, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, said, "We have requested Seoul City to lift the public transportation-only zone designation as part of revitalizing the Sinchon commercial district. We will strive to revive Sinchon Street as a vibrant area by improving traffic accessibility while maintaining pedestrian environments and cultural spaces."
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