Seosomun Overpass to Be Urgently Demolished... Seoul to Use Fast and Safe Method (Comprehensive)

Goal: First Gyeongui Line Train to Run Early Morning on the 30th

"Crushing Method with Excavators Ensures Safety"

"Decision Aimed at Public Safety and Minimizing Inconvenience"

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Ministry of Employment and Labor decided on May 28 to urgently demolish the remaining structures of the Seosomun Overpass to ensure public safety and restore normal traffic flow. The authorities will use the 'crushing method,' which allows for rapid dismantling by deploying excavators without requiring workers to enter the site. If demolition proceeds as scheduled and is completed by 5 a.m. on May 30, the first train on the Gyeongui Line is expected to operate on that day.

In the afternoon of the 28th, heavy equipment such as forklifts was deployed at the accident site on the Seosomun overpass to prepare for the resumption of dismantling work on the structure. Photo by Kim Bokyung

On May 28, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that the emergency demolition of the remaining structures from the Seosomun Overpass collapse would begin at 12 a.m. on May 29. The total duration is expected to be 29 hours, including preliminary safety reinforcement and demolition work (15 hours) as well as finalization (14 hours). If all goes according to plan, all work—including demolition and trial train operations—will be completed by 5 a.m. on May 30. The city stated, "Our goal is to enable traffic on Seosomun-ro and operation of the first Gyeongui Line train on the 30th."

However, from 12 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 29, while preliminary reinforcement and structure demolition is underway, the roads around the construction site will be completely closed.

Regarding this emergency demolition, the Seoul Metropolitan Government explained, "This measure is intended to quickly remove the remaining structures to ensure public safety, normalize traffic on Seosomun-ro and train operations on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, and reduce inconvenience for citizens." Earlier in the afternoon, a joint meeting was held with the committee for lifting the work suspension under the Ministry of Employment and Labor and other relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, after which the resumption of demolition was approved.

To ensure both speed and safety, the 'crushing method' will be used. This method involves an excavator equipped with a hydraulic crusher breaking down the structures. The city noted, "It is a widely used method that enables fast and safe demolition of buildings."

Utilizing the crushing method shortens the demolition time compared to the sequential removal process, in which each upper structure is cut and lifted by crane. Whereas the demolition was previously estimated to take 40 hours, it is now expected to be completed within 15 hours. Of these 15 hours, approximately 8 hours will be dedicated to preliminary reinforcement and site preparation, and the remaining 7 hours will be used for crushing demolition and debris removal.

Schematic diagram of the 'Crushing Method' to resume the demolition work of Seosomun Overpass. Provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

The city plans to deploy four excavators equipped with crushers. The excavators will directly crush the remaining structures from the outside of the overpass, allowing the debris to fall naturally below. This approach eliminates the need for workers to physically enter the demolition zone and also omits the process of lifting damaged girders with cranes.

To prevent falling debris and other hazards during demolition, the city will implement preliminary safety reinforcement measures. An 'air soundproof wall' will be installed to block debris and noise, and a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey will be conducted to protect railway facilities. Additionally, a 20 mm thick steel plate and more than 2 meters of sand will be laid over the railway tracks to absorb impact.

Im Chunkeun, Director of Urban Infrastructure at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "We have received approval from the Ministry of Employment and Labor for the demolition plan of the upper girders using the crushing method," adding, "We will prioritize public safety and minimizing inconvenience for citizens as we swiftly complete the demolition."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.