Uijeongbu-si Postpones Construction for Operation of Central Bus-Only Lane on Sinpyeonghwa-ro

Expecting to Alleviate Traffic Congestion
Minimizing Inconvenience for Citizens
Expanding Access for General Vehicles

Uijeongbu City, Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Kim Dong-geun) announced on the 13th that it will officially begin construction to suspend the operation of the central bus-only lane extending from Singpyeonghwa-ro Mangadae Intersection to Seogye-ro Hojanggyo.

A view of Uijeongbu City Hall. Provided by Uijeongbu City.

The Singpyeonghwa-ro central bus-only lane has been in operation since October 2018 only on a partial section (4.4 km, Singpyeonghwa-ro~Dongil-ro~Seogye-ro) of the planned 8.6 km extension by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (Metropolitan Area Transport Committee) due to limitations such as road geometric structure.

However, since the bus-only lane has been operated only on some sections, its efficiency has decreased, and traffic congestion caused by lane changes at the start and end points has been continuously raised as an issue. There were also criticisms that operating one of the three lanes in one direction exclusively for buses has worsened congestion on Singpyeonghwa-ro.

According to a vehicle traffic volume survey conducted during the morning rush hour (one hour), 1,886 vehicles used the Seoul-bound direction and 2,358 vehicles used the Yangju-bound direction, while only 28 buses operated in each direction.

Accordingly, the city selected the section as a task for the ‘Uijeongbu City Traffic Congestion Improvement Project,’ reviewed the suspension plan through service execution and expert consultation, and held two residents’ briefings in August last year and a press conference in September to inform the public and reflect citizens’ opinions.

With the implementation of the construction, the bus-only lanes will be suspended sequentially in the Seogye-ro section, the Singpyeonghwa-ro section toward Yangju, and the Singpyeonghwa-ro section toward Seoul, and from April, general vehicle traffic will be possible on the entire section including Jangam Overpass.

An official from Uijeongbu City said, “This measure is expected to significantly alleviate traffic congestion on Singpyeonghwa-ro,” adding, “The suspension of the bus-only lane operation is an unavoidable decision considering traffic volume exceeding road capacity and accident risks.”

He also added, “To reduce inconvenience for bus users, we plan to shorten bus travel times to the major destination, Dobongsan Station, by adding charter buses during the morning rush hour and improving the right-turn-only lane at Jangam Station Intersection.”