Gwangju 2nd Ring Road Jisan IC Exit to Be Reopened in Right Direction

Design Completed Last August... Project Approval and Other Procedures Underway
Operator to Be Selected This Year, Construction Expected to Begin Early Next Year

The existing Jisan IC exit ramp constructed in the left direction. Photo by Yonhap News

Gwangju City will reopen the Jisan Interchange (IC) exit ramp, which was constructed in 2018 at a cost of several billion won but could not be opened due to safety concerns.

According to Gwangju City on the 26th, the city has recently begun the process to reopen the exit ramp at the Jisan IC on the Second Ring Road. The city plans to select a project operator after going through the Urban Planning Committee review and obtaining approval for the urban management plan. To this end, procedures such as the urban management plan decision have been underway, and the design was completed in August last year.

The construction of the Jisan IC exit ramp began in September 2018 to revitalize the Jisan Amusement Park and to provide convenience for tourists to Mudeungsan and local citizens. At that time, the city invested a total of 7.7 billion won to build a 6.5-meter-wide, 670-meter-long ramp, with the aim of opening it in November 2021. However, due to citizens' concerns about the left-side exit and the short distance from the tunnel, safety controversies arose, and the opening was ultimately abandoned.

With the launch of the 8th popularly elected administration, Gwangju City reviewed the safety issues and finally decided to change the direction of the exit ramp to the right side. For the previously constructed left-side exit section, alternatives such as adjusting the height to match the road and using it as a vehicle lane were considered, and a redesign began in April 2023.

Meanwhile, the Jisan IC exit ramp is expected to complete project approval and operator selection within this year, with construction likely to begin early next year.