Seoul City is considering moving three major roads in the Gangnam district underground as these roads are chronically congested and issued a public tender for basic proposal and feasibility study on the plan.

Seoul City said Sunday that Teheran-ro, Eonju-ro and Dogok-ro are chronically gridlocked with cars and trucks going in and out, as the roads run through the east-west and north-south areas of Gangnam, respectively. In addition, the fact that there is no subway in these sections allows the city to consider ways to build three-dimensional mixed-use complexes underground in the areas.

“It is necessary to review ways to build a three-dimensional mixed-use complex for each section to expand logistics infrastructure and parking spaces,” Seoul City said.

The sections considered for this study include a 3.8-kilometer section of Teheran-ro from Gangnam Station to Samseonggyo Bridge via Seolleung Station, a 2.0-km section of Dogok-ro from Gangnam Severance Hospital to Woosung 1st Apartment, and a 2.1-km section of Eonju-ro from Gaenari Apartment in Yeoksam 2-dong to Guryong Tunnel through Maebong Tunnel.

In December last year, Seoul Metropolitan Council member Kim Kil-young had raised the need for a study to create a new logistics network using the underground space between Gangnam Station and Samseong Station on Teheran-ro and proposed setting up a tunnel or pipeline in underground space and create a network for robots to load, unload and transport products by autonomous driving.

Some also pointed out that the areas around Gangnam Station and Samseong Station are home to various companies and should be used as a test bed for new technologies in various underground logistics systems.

Furthermore, there is a lot of interest in how to use the space above ground if these roads are moved underground. Seoul City asked in the notice to present a plan to utilize the existing roads above ground after they are moved underground.

This plan to build underground roads, however, is not yet set in stone.

“We are seeking this feasibility study to address the congestion problems in the three sections,“ said an official from the city. ”There could be completely different measures worked out, such as improving the signal system or suggesting a detour without building underground roads.“

The study will last for 300 days from the contract date and the results are expected to come out early next year.

By Park Je-wan and Yoon Yeon-hae

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]