Han Dae-hee, the mayor of Gunpo, emphasized on July 31 that "protecting the lives and safety of citizens is the top priority" as he inspected the damage at the Geumjeong Overpass.
On this day, Mayor Han commenced emergency repair work to ensure the safety of the Geumjeong Overpass.
He visited the construction site to monitor the progress of the repairs and instructed officials to minimize inconvenience for residents while ensuring safe construction practices.
Previously, on July 18, Mayor Han confirmed damage to the slab and expansion joints of the Geumjeong Overpass, leading to a complete closure of vehicle traffic and an urgent safety inspection for the sake of public safety.
Based on the inspection results, the city has allocated approximately 1 billion won for substantial repair work, including slab reinforcement, LMC pavement, and the reinstallation of expansion joints.
During his site visit, Mayor Han reviewed the construction area and plans, directing officials to ensure thorough safety management and prompt recovery efforts.
This initiative has been praised as a proactive safety measure by the Gunpo city government, which acted swiftly to block traffic and conduct detailed inspections and emergency repairs upon discovering potential hazards.
Mayor Han plans to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection of the Geumjeong Overpass in the second half of this year, aiming to establish fundamental safety measures for the entire bridge after the emergency repairs are completed.
Additionally, he will collaborate with relevant agencies to manage the construction schedule, targeting a full reopening by August 31.
Given the unavoidable detours during the construction period, traffic management measures and detour guidance will also be implemented to reduce congestion during peak commuting hours.
While citizens continue to experience inconvenience due to the closure of the Geumjeong Overpass, there has been a positive response to Mayor Han's swift actions prioritizing safety.
Residents have expressed that, "Although there are traffic inconveniences, it was appropriate to act quickly to control the situation in a facility used by many citizens," adding, "It is important to secure safety before hastily reopening the bridge."
Other citizens noted, "It is reassuring to see the mayor personally checking the construction progress and overseeing the recovery efforts," and expressed hope that this repair will lead to systematic management and inspections of the entire Geumjeong Overpass.
Meanwhile, Mayor Han Dae-hee urged, "As citizens are experiencing significant inconvenience due to the complete closure of the Geumjeong Overpass, please ensure safety while thoroughly managing the construction to complete the repairs as soon as possible."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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