Highway Traffic Jam Cleared in Both Directions... "Congestion to Resume from 8 AM Tomorrow"

4 Hours 30 Minutes from Busan to Seoul as of 10 PM

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] On the night of the Lunar New Year day, the 22nd, traffic congestion on major highways has mostly cleared, showing smooth flow.

According to Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 10 PM that day, the estimated travel times from major cities nationwide to Seoul Tollgate are Busan 4 hours 30 minutes, Ulsan 4 hours 10 minutes, Daegu 3 hours 30 minutes, Gwangju 3 hours 30 minutes, Gangneung 2 hours 40 minutes, and Daejeon 2 hours 10 minutes.

The estimated travel times from Seoul Tollgate to each region are Busan 4 hours 30 minutes, Ulsan 4 hours 10 minutes, Daegu 3 hours 30 minutes, Gwangju 3 hours 20 minutes, Gangneung 2 hours 40 minutes, and Daejeon 1 hour 30 minutes.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, some sections still show slow traffic flow. As of 9 PM, vehicles are moving slowly in the following sections on the Gyeongbu Expressway heading toward Seoul: Shintanjin to near Shintanjin 1 km, near Cheongju Junction to Namyi Junction 2 km, Cheongju to Oksan 3 km, near Bukcheonan to near Anseong Junction 17 km, and near Yangjae to Banpo 6 km.

On the Seohaean Expressway heading toward Seoul, turtle-speed driving is occurring in the sections near Seopyeongtaek Junction to Hwaseong Rest Area 8 km, Maesong to Yongdam Tunnel 2 km, and Iljik Junction to Geumcheon 4 km. On the Jungbu Expressway heading toward Hanam, congestion is occurring in the sections near Seocheongju to Ochang 6 km, Jeungpyeong to near Jincheon 8 km, and near Iljuk 5 km.

The expected nationwide traffic volume for the day is 5.13 million vehicles. It is expected that 380,000 vehicles will move from the metropolitan area to local areas, and 510,000 vehicles will move from local areas to the metropolitan area.

The Expressway Corporation forecasted that traffic congestion on the return trip will start again around 8 to 9 AM on the 23rd, peak around 4 to 5 PM, and clear around 2 to 3 AM on the 24th. For the outbound trip, traffic volume is expected to surge around 10 to 11 AM on the 23rd, congestion will be worst around 4 to 5 PM, and will ease around 7 to 8 PM.