Demolition of 50-Year-Old Yeongdeungpo Rotary Overpass and Installation of Rainwater Pump Station... Walking Access from Yeongdeungpo Station to Yeouido

Oct 24?26, Nearly 50-Year-Old ‘Yeongdeungpo Rotary Overpass Demolition’ to Improve Traffic Congestion and Prevent Accidents
‘New Rainwater Pump Station’ Nearby Expected to Eliminate Flood Damage in Surrounding Areas with a ‘1+1 Effect’
Bus Central Lane Connected to Seoulgyo (in Front of Yeouido) to Enhance Public Transit Convenience
Pedestrian Green Space Installed for Comfortable Walking from Yeongdeungpo Station to Yeouido...Improving Access to Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park

The nearly 50-year-old ‘Yeongdeungpo Rotary Overpass’ will be transformed into a simplified flat intersection, shedding its reputation as a high-accident area and reborn as a new space featuring parks and green areas.

Yeongdeungpo District Office (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) announced that through the ‘Yeongdeungpo Rotary Structure Improvement Project,’ the old and dangerous ‘Yeongdeungpo Rotary Overpass,’ which has been in place for nearly 50 years, will be demolished, and the complex six-way intersection will be simplified into a five-way flat intersection.

First, the district will restrict vehicle access to the overpass starting at 11 p.m. on October 25 and begin demolition. The demolition is scheduled to continue until the end of April 2025. To minimize inconvenience to residents, demolition will be carried out at night when vehicle traffic is relatively low.

After the demolition is completed, a second phase of construction will follow to simplify the complex six-way intersection into a five-way flat intersection. The district plans to remove the overpass and the underlying roads and unify the area to reduce traffic accidents and improve traffic flow.

The district emphasized that the ‘demolition of the Yeongdeungpo Rotary Overpass’ is a long-awaited project that can no longer be postponed for the safety of residents. The ‘Yeongdeungpo Rotary Overpass,’ which combines a roundabout and a six-way intersection, has many entry and exit points and a complex structure. Additionally, with a daily traffic volume of about 200,000 vehicles, it has been congested and prone to frequent traffic accidents. According to the Korea Road Traffic Authority, ‘Yeongdeungpo Rotary’ was notorious as the number one traffic accident area nationwide from 2017 to 2019.

During the construction period, the district will build the ‘Yeongdeungpo Rainwater Pump Station’ on the site next to the rotary and install a ‘rainwater inflow pipeline’ under the rotary. This will enable rapid pumping of rainwater to the pump station even during heavy rainfall exceeding 100mm per hour, taking a step forward in preventing flooding damage and ensuring the safety of residents in the Yeongdeungpo Station area, including the low-lying Yeongdeungpo-dong and Singil-dong neighborhoods.

This reflects the district’s intention to achieve a ‘1+1 effect’ by focusing not only on preventing traffic accidents but also on flood damage prevention. In fact, in 2022, Typhoon Hinnamnor caused over 10,000 flood victims, making Yeongdeungpo one of the districts with the most severe flood damage. The damage in the low-lying Singil-dong and Yeongdeungpo-dong areas was also serious. As flooding caused by recent abnormal weather patterns has become more frequent, the project aims to fundamentally eradicate flood damage in the Yeongdeungpo Station area.

Furthermore, the ‘central bus lane’ that was disconnected between Yeongdeungpo Station and Yeouido will be extended all the way to Yeouido. This is expected to shorten commuting times for citizens using the Yeongdeungpo Rotary and improve public transportation convenience.

Along with this, a ‘green pedestrian walkway’ connecting Yeongdeungpo Station to Yeouido will be created. Residents will be able to walk conveniently along green spaces from Yeongdeungpo Station to Yeouido Saetgang Ecological Park, experiencing nature. At the same time, a park of approximately 7,500㎡ will be secured. This space will be transformed into a resting area for residents in the city, blending nature and urban life, with features such as ground fountains, walking paths, and pine forests.

Earlier, on September 20, the district held a residents’ briefing session at Yeongdeungpo Art Hall to explain the purpose, duration, expected effects, and traffic measures related to the ‘demolition of the Yeongdeungpo Rotary Overpass’ project to residents.

The district expects unavoidable traffic congestion due to the overpass closure and urges residents to use nearby subways and other public transportation as much as possible and to use detour routes when driving.

Additionally, drivers who must operate near the overpass demolition site are requested to cooperate with traffic control personnel’s guidance.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, stated, “The ‘Yeongdeungpo Rotary Structure Improvement Project,’ a long-standing wish of our residents, is expected to have a ‘1+1 effect’ by preventing traffic accidents and installing a rainwater pump station to prevent flooding damage in surrounding areas. We will do our best to carry out the construction safely and swiftly to minimize inconvenience to residents. Since some inconvenience is expected during the construction period, we ask for the active cooperation and understanding of all residents, including using the subway whenever possible.”