Busan City Promotes Soundproof Tunnel Facility Reinforcement to Build a 'Safe City Busan'

Reinforcement of Disaster Prevention Facilities for Four Soundproof Tunnel Routes

Regarding the Fire in the 2nd Gyeongin Expressway Soundproof Tunnel

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Busan City is promoting the reinforcement of disaster prevention facilities for soundproof tunnels in the region following the joint expert emergency safety inspection results and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's fire safety enhancement measures for soundproof facilities, related to the 'Second Gyeongin Expressway Fire Accident' that occurred on December 29 last year.

Busan City Hall.

Currently, there are a total of 4 enclosed soundproof tunnel routes (Gaya Overpass, Hwamyung Overpass, Dongseo Overpass, Yeongdo Overpass) within Busan City, consisting of 11 sections with a total length of 2,964 meters. These soundproof tunnels were constructed before the revision of the soundproof tunnel disaster prevention standards, 'Guidelines for Installation and Management of Road Tunnel Disaster Prevention and Ventilation Facilities' (August 2016). According to the current guideline extension standards, they correspond to Grade 4.

Based on the joint expert emergency safety inspection conducted in January, the city has installed 214 fire extinguishers on three routes?Gaya Overpass, Dongseo Overpass, and Yeongdo Overpass?excluding Hwamyung Overpass, which already has fire extinguishers installed according to current guidelines. Additionally, after a design service for installing evacuation routes, the city plans to install five evacuation routes in the second half of this year.

Furthermore, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's 'Fire Safety Enhancement Measures for Road Soundproof Facilities,' some wall sections of the soundproof tunnels and soundproof walls managed by districts and counties will have the PMMA material, which is vulnerable to certain fires, replaced with non-combustible materials such as glass or metal. Also, considering the extension of soundproof tunnels like Yeongdo Overpass, the installation of entry blocking facilities will be reviewed.

A Busan City official stated, “We will promptly proceed with reinforcing disaster prevention facilities and replacing PMMA materials in consultation with the city council for soundproof facilities that pose safety risks to citizens.” He added, “We will continue to strive to build a safe city of Busan that protects the lives and property of citizens and makes Busan a place where people want to live again.”