Traffic congestion relief for Munsu-ro, Industrial Road, and the Down–Gulhwa corridor is set to move forward in earnest following the inclusion of three major road projects in South Korea’s national transportation plan. Long-standing traffic bottlenecks in central Ulsan, particularly along Munsu-ro, the Yeocheon intersection on Industrial Road, and the Down–Gulhwa area, are expected to ease significantly.
The Ulsan Metropolitan Government announced on February 5 that the three projects have been officially incorporated into the Fifth Comprehensive Plan for Improving Traffic Congestion Roads in Metropolitan Areas, established by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
The approved projects include the Munsu-ro Bypass Road, the Industrial Road (Yeocheon Intersection) Bypass Road, and the Down–Gulhwa Connecting Road. Together, they form a core infrastructure package aimed at fundamentally improving traffic flow across Ulsan’s urban road network.
The Fifth Comprehensive Plan is a mid- to long-term statutory roadmap formulated every five years by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. It designates priority congestion relief corridors and outlines phased investment strategies. The current plan covers the period from 2026 to 2030 and applies to six major metropolitan areas, including Ulsan, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, Daejeon, and Gwangju.
 [The Korean Today] This map shows the planned construction of a 0.93-kilometer bypass road aimed at relieving chronic traffic congestion around the Yeocheon Intersection on Industrial Road in Nam-gu, Ulsan. © By Soyoung Jeong |
The inclusion of the Ulsan projects follows years of sustained engagement by the city with central government agencies. Ulsan officials repeatedly presented data demonstrating how persistent congestion on key arterial roads has affected daily life and industrial productivity. The city emphasized the urgency of the projects while aligning them with the national “Five-Pole, Three-Special Economic Zone” development framework, ultimately securing approval.
The Munsu-ro Bypass Road project involves constructing a 2.61-kilometer, four-lane road connecting the southern ring road in the Mugyo–Okdong district to Namsan Leisure Park via Geomaro. Rapid residential development in the area has sharply increased traffic demand, and the bypass is intended to restore Munsu-ro’s function as a primary arterial road. The project carries a total budget of 137.7 billion won, with 55.8 billion won funded by the national government.
The Industrial Road (Yeocheon Intersection) Bypass Road targets chronic congestion caused by heavy freight traffic. The plan calls for a 1.08-kilometer, four-lane road linking the Gyeongnam Cold Storage intersection to the Ulsan Yeongnak Park intersection. With a total project cost of 49.1 billion won, the bypass is expected to reduce average vehicle delay times by more than 40 seconds, improving logistics efficiency and strengthening industrial competitiveness.
The Down–Gulhwa Connecting Road is designed to relieve traffic pressure on the Northern Ring Road and National Route 24 during peak commuting hours. The project will construct a 0.77-kilometer, four-lane road between Cheokgwa Bridge in Jung-gu and the area near Munsu High School in Nam-gu. It also serves as a proactive response to increased traffic demand stemming from the Down 2 District and the Taehwagang Riverside public housing developments. Once completed, average travel speeds near the Sinsamho Bridge are projected to more than double.
With the projects now incorporated into the national plan, Ulsan has secured institutional eligibility for central government funding. This provides a solid foundation for large-scale expansion of road infrastructure and is expected to deliver long-term socioeconomic benefits, including reduced congestion-related costs and revitalization of the local economy.
Ulsan plans to begin a preliminary feasibility study for the Munsu-ro Bypass Road this year. The Industrial Road bypass will proceed to central investment review, while the Down–Gulhwa Connecting Road will undergo feasibility assessment and basic planning before entering subsequent phases.
Mayor Kim Du-gyeom described the national plan inclusion as a meaningful achievement that directly addresses citizens’ transportation concerns while promoting balanced regional development. He pledged continued efforts to secure national funding and advance road projects that deliver tangible improvements to daily mobility.
The three road projects aimed at traffic congestion relief for Munsu-ro, Industrial Road, and Down–Gulhwa are expected to mark a turning point in Ulsan’s urban transportation system. Beyond easing congestion, the initiatives are anticipated to enhance industrial efficiency, improve residential living conditions, and strengthen the city’s overall competitiveness.
[By Soyoung Jeong | Ulsan Gangbuk | ulsangangbuk@thekoreantoday.com ]
 |
<저작권자 ⓒ 코리안투데이(The Korean Today) 무단전재 및 재배포 금지>
