Participating in the "Intensive Safety Inspection" Led by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety
Korea Expressway Corporation announced on the 23rd that President Ham Jin Kyu recently visited Bongyanggyo on the Jungang Expressway in Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk, to inspect the underside of the bridge.
This on-site inspection was part of the "2025 Intensive Safety Inspection" led by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. It is a disaster prevention initiative in which the government, public institutions, and citizens work together to identify and eliminate risk factors.
Ham Jin Kyu, president of Korea Expressway Corporation (third from the left), is inspecting a bridge using autonomous formation flight drones near Bongyanggyo on the Jungang Expressway in Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk, on the 22nd. Provided by Korea Expressway Corporation
From April 14 to June 13, Korea Expressway Corporation is conducting intensive inspections of 146 aging or high-risk facilities along expressways. The inspection sites were selected by comprehensively considering the types of accidents that have occurred. The inspections are carried out jointly with private-sector experts, including maintenance specialists and professors from relevant academic departments.
The inspection targets include 81 bridges, 21 culverts, 17 slopes, 14 retaining walls, and 13 noise tunnels. On this day, two autonomous flight drones were deployed simultaneously for the inspection of Bongyanggyo. The drones were used to examine the bridge for cracks and damage. In addition to drones, Korea Expressway Corporation also utilizes advanced equipment such as ground-penetrating radar (GPR) pavement inspection devices.
Ground-penetrating radar is equipment that emits electromagnetic waves onto the pavement to determine its thickness and internal deterioration. It enables precise diagnosis even in sections that are difficult to inspect visually. It also ensures the safety of inspectors in high-risk areas.
President Ham stated, "While inspecting structures such as bridges and tunnels, we are always mindful of both the safety of the structures and the safety of the inspectors. We will do our utmost to create safe expressways by utilizing advanced technology at construction sites as well."
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