The Seoul Station Overpass, which transported millions of cars over a period of 45 years, will discard its bad name as an unsafe passage and be transformed into a long-lasting road for pedestrians, one that can even survive earthquakes. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb.2 (Korea Bizwire) – The Seoul Station Overpass, which transported millions of cars over a period of 45 years, will discard its bad name as an unsafe passage and be transformed into a long-lasting road for pedestrians, one that can even survive earthquakes.
Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon announced that a plan drawn up by Winy Maas, a Dutch architect, had been chosen as the basic design for the new overpass.
Before starting construction of the pedestrian road, reinforcement work will be done on the structure to improve safety. Measures will be taken to increase the strength of the overpass so that it can hold up to 21 tons.
Once reinforcements are finished, pedestrian roads with various themes will be developed, with work expected to be completed by April 2017. The walkways will connect parts of the city that were previously isolated. A total of 17 pathways will be connected to seven elevators that will be installed by the overpass.
Big and small public squares, 20 convenience facilities, 135 benches and flower pots, four balconies, three areas with transparent floors, and two bathrooms will be constructed on the new overpass. High fences to prevent suicide and objects from falling off will be erected, and CCTV cameras will be installed.
A total of 186 species of plants that can grow in artificial soil will change the scenery each season.
As the overpass will be transformed into a park, the city plans to change the nearby Namdaemun traditional market into a space where culture and art coexists. Other areas connected to the overpass will also be refreshed.
A total of 146.9 billion won will be invested by 2018, starting from a 54.5 billion won budget this year.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold public hearings about the tentative plans from February 4 to February 17, and after taking into consideration citizen suggestions and ideas, the blueprints will be finalized. In addition, the ‘Seoul Station 7017 Info Garden’, where a sneak peak of the transformed overpass will be displayed, is scheduled to open in April.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
