As the saying goes, "People make roads, and roads make people." The opening of the Anseong-Guri section of the Sejong-Pocheon Expressway is expected to transform the lives of Gyeonggi Province residents who now have access to a commute within an hour of Seoul.
This project, the largest single road project in Korean history with a budget of 7.4 trillion won, has been touted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to reduce driving distance by 19.8km and travel time by 49 minutes. A recent commute along the route confirmed that the new highway is indeed poised to open a new chapter for the region.
A Smooth Start
At 7:40 a.m. on February 13th, the South Anseong Interchange was bustling with commuting cars and trucks speeding along the wide, six-lane highway. This section, the first in Korea to implement a speed limit of 120km/h, allowed for smooth driving in all lanes. Just over a month after its opening, the road was still relatively uncongested.
After about 20 minutes, the Yongin Interchange appeared. The sparse traffic gradually increased, with a few cars joining the flow. The speed limit decreased to 110km/h, but the drive remained swift and uninterrupted.
The Commute Begins
At 8:10 a.m., after passing the Gwangnam Interchange, the familiar scene of a morning commute unfolded. The road was filled with Gyeonggi Province residents from Anseong, Yongin, Seongnam, and Gwangju heading to Seoul. After merging with traffic heading to Gangnam at the West Hanam Interchange, the final section to the Namguri Interchange was reached. The time was 8:22 a.m., just over 40 minutes after entering the Anseong-Guri Expressway.
A Revolutionary Commute
The 40-minute journey from the southern tip of Gyeonggi Province to the Han River in Seoul represents a remarkable reduction in travel time. The biggest beneficiaries are undoubtedly the residents of Gyeonggi Province commuting to Seoul.
The opening of the Anseong-Guri Expressway has also brought attention to the Cheoin Service Area as a new "hot spot." Visitors there expressed satisfaction with the new road.
Happy Commuters
Ms. Kim, a woman in her 60s commuting from Uijeongbu to Yongin, smiled as she shared, "My two-hour commute seems like it will only take an hour today with the smooth traffic." Mr. Lee, a man in his 40s commuting from Yongin to Nowon-gu in Seoul, commented, "Those commuting to the northern part of the city will definitely feel the time saved. Arriving 30 minutes earlier means I can even have dinner with my family after work."
A New Rest Stop Destination
The pristine new service area has also become a destination for locals seeking a "rest-cation" (rest area + vacation). Ms. Lee, a resident of Yongin's Cheoin district, said, "This is my third visit. It has a Starbucks, which other service areas don't have, and the parking space is ample. It's also well-decorated, with a 'Fu Bao' photo zone, since it's near Everland."
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