Heavy downpours have caused flooding on roads throughout Gwangju, resulting in severe traffic congestion during the evening commute.
On July 17 at approximately 5:05 p.m., Korea Expressway Corporation completely closed both directions of traffic for about four kilometers on the Honam Expressway between Donggwangju IC and Seogwangju IC due to road flooding.
As this section, which serves as a ring road on the outskirts of Gwangju, was fully closed, extreme vehicle congestion ensued. The resulting traffic jams extended to major arterial roads in the city center, including the areas of Gakhwa-dong, Munheung-dong, Yongbong-dong, and Unam-dong in Buk-gu, where connecting roads lead into the city.
In addition, vehicle movement was prohibited on the rural road near Cheongun Church in Mangwol-dong, Buk-gu, and around Wolsan Reservoir, as these sections were designated as flood control zones. Most lanes of the nine-lane outer road connecting Hak-dong in Dong-gu and Hwasun in Jeollanam-do were also submerged in muddy water due to flooding, causing severe traffic congestion.
As a result, it has taken several hours to travel just one kilometer, with stop-and-go driving repeatedly occurring. As of 4 p.m. on this day, Gwangju had reported 141 cases of flooding and 4 cases of road obstacles, totaling 145 incidents of road-related damage.
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