Uijeongbu-si Advances Minrak Tollgate Bypass Road Construction Project

Dramatic Improvement in Traffic Congestion in Minrak 2 District and Gosan District

Uijeongbu Mayor Kim Dong-geun is receiving an explanation about the Minrak Tollgate (TG) bypass road construction project.

The chronic traffic congestion in Minrak 2 District and Gosan District of Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province is expected to be drastically improved.

Uijeongbu City (Mayor Kim Dong-geun) announced on the 11th that it will promote the "Minrak Tollgate (TG) Bypass Road Construction Project" to resolve the traffic inconveniences of residents in the Minrak 2 Public Housing District and Gosan Public Housing District.

Currently, large retail facilities such as Costco and Walmart are located in the northeast of Minrak 2 District, attracting visitors from neighboring cities and northern Seoul areas on weekends, causing severe traffic congestion on Minrak-ro (from Minrak Intersection to Songyang Elementary School Intersection), Songyang-ro, and Costco Intersection.

Moreover, since the northern part of Minrak 2 District and the northern part of Gosan District are adjacent, and after the first phase of Gosan District was completed in August 2021, the additional traffic from residents commuting in and out of Gosan District has increased on Yongmin-ro within Minrak 2 District, Costco Intersection, and Munchung-ro within Gosan District, resulting in severe traffic jams during weekends and rush hours.

Minrak 2 District and Gosan District are separated east and west by Buyongsan Mountain, and to travel between the central areas of the public housing districts, residents had to detour about 4 km around Buyongsan Mountain.

Initially, the city requested the private operator of the Guri-Pocheon Expressway to temporarily open the turnaround lane passing through the Minrak Tollgate, but the private operator strongly opposed it, citing difficulties in operating the Minrak Tollgate, making it difficult to proceed.

Therefore, in April, a task force (TF) consisting of 10 experts in the transportation field was formed to review and discuss various alternatives, ultimately establishing the Minrak Tollgate Bypass Road Construction Project as the final traffic improvement measure.

In May, the city visited a joint meeting site attended by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Korea Expressway Corporation, and Seoul Northern Expressway Co., Ltd., explaining the necessity and urgency of constructing a connecting road between Minrak 2 District and Gosan District using the Minrak Tollgate Bypass Road, and actively requested support for the project.

The city expects that this project will alleviate traffic inconveniences for all residents of Minrak 2 District and Gosan District by reducing travel time and distance.

Once the Minrak Tollgate Bypass Road is newly established, traffic volume will be dispersed, shortening travel time by about 15 to 20 minutes, significantly improving traffic congestion on Songyang-ro within Minrak 2 District.

In particular, the level of traffic service is expected to improve by one grade: Songyang Elementary School Intersection from grade E to D, and Costco Intersection from grade D to C on weekdays.

The city will start a road zone designation service this month to improve the Minrak Tollgate turnaround lane and plans to proceed with consultations with related agencies such as the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, aiming for opening in December next year.

Mayor Kim Dong-geun said, "We hope that the Minrak Tollgate Bypass Road Construction Project will resolve the traffic inconveniences of residents in Minrak and Gosan Districts," and added, "We will do our best to complete the project as soon as possible."