[Rebuild K Construction] Korea Expressway Corporation
Pohang?Yeongdeok Expressway: 30.9 km Total Length, Four Lanes Each Way
Saemangeum?Jeonju Expressway: 2.7424 Trillion Won Project Cost
Last month, the opening of the Pohang-Yeongdeok Expressway and the Saemangeum-Jeonju Expressway marked a new milestone in balanced national development, a key priority emphasized by the new administration. These projects are expected to bring various changes, such as strengthening interregional connectivity, alleviating traffic congestion, and reducing travel times.
Travel Time Halved... Annual Benefit of 42.3 Billion Won
The Pohang-Yeongdeok Expressway opened on November 8. This expressway stretches 30.9 kilometers and has four lanes in both directions. Construction took nine years and cost 1.6115 trillion won. With the opening of this road, the driving distance from Heunghaeeup in Buk-gu, Pohang to Gangu-myeon in Yeongdeok County was reduced by about 16%, from 37 kilometers to 31 kilometers.
Travel time was shortened by more than 20 minutes, from 42 minutes to 19 minutes. According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, the economic benefit of this opening is estimated to be about 42.3 billion won per year. The improved accessibility to the East Coast is also expected to boost tourism.
The new expressway is expected to help alleviate traffic congestion. The volume of traffic on the existing National Route 7 will be dispersed, making commuting and tourist travel smoother. Notably, the Pohang-Yeongdeok Expressway is the first to pilot a GPS relay system in its tunnel sections, allowing navigation guidance even inside tunnels. As tunnels and underpasses become longer and more entrances and exits are added, the need for in-tunnel GPS technology is expected to grow.
Additionally, the expressway incorporated several innovations recognized in competitions hosted by the corporation, such as foldable bridge inspection doors and vibration-reducing tunnel blasting methods. Two rest areas were built at locations overlooking the sea, reflecting the characteristics of the East Coast highway. The Pohang Service Area features a design inspired by the ships of Yeongilman Bay, while the Yeongdeok Service Area is modeled after the Yeongdeok snow crab. The Pohang Service Area offers a panoramic view of the East Sea, making it an ideal spot to watch the sunrise.
An official from the Korea Expressway Corporation stated, "We will continue to carry out the East Coast section project without delay to complete the north-south axis of the national arterial road network (from Goseong in Gangwon to Busan). We will do our best to strengthen the competitiveness of the national logistics industry and contribute to balanced national development."
Reflecting Local Scenery and Identity... "A Regional Landmark"
The Saemangeum-Jeonju Expressway opened on November 22. Of the total 311-kilometer Saemangeum-Pohang route, which forms the third east-west axis of the national arterial road network, 201 kilometers-about 65%-have now been completed. This expressway runs 55.1 kilometers with four lanes in both directions, connecting Jinbong-myeon in Gimje City, passing through Jeonju City, and ending at Sangwan-myeon in Wanju County. The total project cost was 2.7424 trillion won.
With the opening of this expressway, travel time from Jinbong-myeon in Gimje City to Sangwan-myeon in Wanju County has been cut by more than half, from 76 minutes to 33 minutes. The driving distance has decreased by 12%, from 62.8 kilometers to 55.1 kilometers. The corporation estimates annual economic benefits of 201.8 billion won, thanks to reduced vehicle operating costs and fewer traffic accidents.
Saemangeum?Pohang Expressway (Saemangeum?Jeonju section) Seowanju Junction. Provided by Korea Expressway Corporation
This expressway directly connects four major expressways in the North Jeolla region (the Seohaean, Honam, Suncheon-Wanju, and Iksan-Jangsu lines). It will play a key role in alleviating traffic congestion and reducing logistics costs. In addition, it is expected to accommodate the increase in freight volume associated with the accelerating Saemangeum development project. The expressway also makes it more convenient to visit major local tourist attractions, such as Moaksan Provincial Park and Jeonju Hanok Village.
The expressway was designed to reflect the surrounding landscape and local identity at various points. The Korea Expressway Corporation expects it to become a regional landmark in North Jeolla Province. The main tower of Wansan Bridge is modeled after the gate of a traditional Jeonju house, symbolizing the gateway to Jeonju. The Gimje Rest Area is shaped like a rice seed, representing the agricultural culture of the Gimje Plain.
The long-awaited project to construct a new Muju-Seongju-Daegu Expressway was selected as a candidate for a preliminary feasibility study in October. If the project proceeds, the east-west third axis expressway connecting Honam and Yeongnam will be completed in stages. The Daegu-Pohang Expressway opened in 2004, and the Jeonju-Muju Expressway opened in 2007.
Saemangeum?Pohang Expressway (Saemangeum-Jeonju section) Gimje Rest Area. Provided by Korea Expressway Corporation
An official from the Korea Expressway Corporation said, "The Saemangeum Expressway is significant as the starting point of the north-south and east-west expressway linking Saemangeum to Pohang on the East Sea. Beyond physical connectivity, it will increase human and material exchanges between regions and serve as a new engine for regional development."
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