A New Gateway to the City:
Signalized Intersection, Underground Walkway, and Roundabout Transform Downtown Samcheok
Samcheok City in Gangwon Province announced on September 10 that the long-awaited improvement project for the Samcheok IC intersection on National Route 7 was completed on September 9. The previously frustrating road structure has been neatly reorganized, and the traffic flow in downtown Samcheok is now evaluated to be much smoother.
The area around Samcheok IC had long been plagued by a peculiar structure mixing underground passages and surface roads, which caused ongoing confusion and accident risks for drivers over several decades. In particular, visiting drivers frequently filed complaints such as "I entered, but I have no idea where to go," and the area was pointed out as a representative bottleneck that damaged Samcheok's first impression.
This improvement project was launched in March 2024 to fundamentally resolve these issues. A total budget of approximately 9 billion KRW was invested, and from the design stage, the city aimed for a simple and intuitive road structure.
The most significant changes are the newly constructed intersections in front of Dongbu Apartments and in front of the multipurpose stadium (Kangwon National University).
Previously, drivers had to take inconvenient routes to enter National Route 7 toward Donghae from the apartments or to access the stadium from the Donghae direction. Now, with the addition of a signalized at-grade intersection and a roundabout, vehicles can flow naturally and safely.
Pedestrian safety was also considered. In front of Dongbu Apartments, where there was previously a crosswalk, a new underground walkway has been built, separating the paths of vehicles and pedestrians. The underground walkway, equipped with security facilities (CCTV) and lighting, is expected to greatly enhance pedestrian safety when crossing the busy National Route 7.
In practice, traffic flow has noticeably improved. During the trial operation period after completion, citizens responded positively, saying "the roads are much clearer now." There is also analysis that the number of unnecessary U-turns and sudden stops by first-time drivers has significantly decreased, as the entry directions have become clearer.
Samcheok City sees this intersection improvement as more than just a simple road maintenance project; it regards it as the reorganization of a key urban axis connecting Samcheok Beach, the multipurpose sports park, Kangwon National University Samcheok Campus, and the city center. In particular, the project is highly regarded administratively for efficiently executing the budget in a short period while delivering results that citizens can truly feel.
An official from Samcheok City stated, "This project clearly demonstrates how improving a single intersection can change the impression of an entire city," adding, "We will continue to pursue projects that balance transportation and urban structure."
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