125.1 Billion Won Invested in Expanding Gwangju's Road Network... Targeting Congested Areas

Nine Projects Including Honam Expressway Expansion and Sangmu District?High-Tech Industrial Complex Connection
65.3 Billion Won in National Funding Secured for Next Year, Up 28.3 Billion Won from Last Year

Gwangju City will invest 125.1 billion won next year in road expansion projects to alleviate downtown traffic congestion and strengthen connections between major hubs. With 65.3 billion won in national funding secured, the city will push forward nine projects, including the expansion of the Honam Expressway.

Gwangju Metropolitan City Hall. Photo by Song Bohyun

On December 29, Gwangju City announced that it has secured 65.3 billion won in national funding for road projects in the 2026 government budget, and will add 59.8 billion won in local funding, for a total investment of 125.1 billion won to carry out nine road projects. The amount of national funding secured increased by 28.3 billion won from last year, marking a 76.5% rise.

The city will continue with the Honam Expressway expansion project, targeting the frequently congested section from Donggwangju Interchange to Gwangsan Interchange. A total of 73.1 billion won (50% national funding, 50% local funding) will be invested to expand the current four lanes to six lanes by 2029.

For the project connecting Sangmu District and the High-Tech Industrial Complex, 27.7 billion won will be invested. With 13.3 billion won in national funding and 14.4 billion won in local funding, the city will construct a road of up to six lanes, connecting Yuchon-dong in Seo-gu and Sanwol-dong in Gwangsan-gu, aiming to disperse traffic on Bitgoeul-daero and improve accessibility between the city center and the industrial complex.

Additionally, seven other projects will be carried out: ▲Expansion of the Gwangju Hanam to Jangseong Samgye metropolitan road (from two lanes to four lanes) ▲Construction of a road from Woljeon-dong to Mujin-ro (6.25 km) ▲New access road from Gakhwa-dong to the Second Ring Road ▲Construction of a road from Geumho-dong to Seogwangju-ro ▲Construction of a road from Seomun-daero to Bongseon-dong (0.76 km) ▲New access road to the Cheomdan 3 District in Buk-gu (1.3 km) ▲Construction of an access road to the Southern Industrial Complex (2.0 km).

Through these road projects, Gwangju City aims to enhance connectivity between urban hubs and improve logistics flows in industrial complexes, while also improving traffic conditions in residential areas.

Joo Inseok, Head of the Road Division at Gwangju City, stated, "Securing national funding has created the conditions to gradually expand Gwangju's transportation infrastructure," adding, "We will ensure that each project proceeds without delay and leads to tangible results that citizens can feel."