CHANGWON — The city of Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province said on the 18th that it will fast-track an intersection improvement project as a fallback after a plan to widen National Route 79 again failed to clear a preliminary feasibility study. The city said the project at the Hwacheon intersection in Oegam-ri, Bukmyeon, carried out by the provincial government, will gradually ease chronic congestion in the Bukmyeon area.
Traffic on the section has surged as a new town has been developed in Bukmyeon, Uichang District, leaving commuters facing delays and a heightened risk of accidents during rush hours. The city has pushed since the fourth national road construction plan to have the widening of the four-lane stretch to six lanes included in the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's plan for national and local highways. The project again failed to pass the preliminary feasibility study under the sixth plan.
The Hwacheon intersection project calls for 2.1 billion won ($1.5 million) to upgrade a 375-meter stretch of acceleration and deceleration lanes, with completion targeted for December 2027. The city said the work will improve traffic flow in the chronically congested section by better connecting Route 79 with surrounding roads. It added that it will maintain a cooperative framework with the provincial government to support the project and minimize inconvenience to residents during construction.
The widening project itself is being aimed at the seventh national and local highway construction plan. The preliminary feasibility study passes only some projects after a comprehensive assessment of economic viability, policy considerations and balanced regional development. Taking that assessment structure into account, the city plans to strengthen the case for the project and bolster its analysis of traffic demand and regional development effects. It also plans to step up coordination with the provincial government, relevant ministries and local politicians.
"The widening of National Route 79 is a long-cherished project directly tied to improving the quality of life for Bukmyeon residents, so we will continue our efforts," Changwon Mayor Kang Ki-yun said. "We will improve traffic conditions one step at a time through the Hwacheon intersection project, which can be pursued first, and mobilize all of the city's capabilities so that the Route 79 widening is included in the seventh national and local highway construction plan and clears the preliminary feasibility study."
