770,000 Vehicles Expected to Crowd Chuseok Roads... Daegu-Gyeongbuk Expressways Face Peak on the 25th

Short Holiday Pushes Daily Average to 611,000 Vehicles
Up 7.5% from Last Year
Shoulder Lanes and Temporary Lanes in Operation

The Daegu-Gyeongbuk Regional Headquarters of Korea Expressway Corporation announced on September 21 that it will implement special traffic measures for the Chuseok holiday from September 23 to 27, spanning five days.

During this period, the average daily traffic volume on expressways in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions is expected to reach 611,000 vehicles, representing a 7.5% increase compared to the same period last year.

The projected traffic numbers for each day are: 589,100 vehicles on September 23, 642,000 on September 24, 772,000 on Chuseok (September 25), 566,000 on September 26, and 485,000 on September 27.

Short holiday period results in an average of 611,000 vehicles per day, up 7.5% compared to last year, with emergency lanes and temporary lanes in operation.
[Photo by Korea Expressway Corporation Daegu-Gyeongbuk]

In particular, Chuseok day is anticipated to see the heaviest traffic, as both homebound and grave-visiting vehicles will converge, marking the highest traffic volume during the holiday period.

This corresponds to a 12.7% increase compared to Chuseok day last year.

To improve vehicle flow in major congestion-prone sections, the Expressway Corporation will operate shoulder lanes for 3.2 kilometers in the Busan-bound section between Kumho Junction (JCT) and Bukdaegu Interchange (IC) on the Gyeongbu Expressway.

Temporary lanes will also be set up in four areas, including 0.2 kilometers at the Chilgok IC exit toward Chuncheon and 0.5 kilometers at both exits of the Dabu IC on the Jungang Expressway, as well as 1.7 kilometers at the Kimcheon JCT exit toward Changwon on the Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway. Real-time traffic conditions and alternative route information will be provided via Variable Message Signs (VMS).

Prior to the holiday, inspections and maintenance of road facilities have been completed, and an emergency response team will be on standby to swiftly address pothole repairs and the removal of debris from roadways.

To alleviate congestion at rest areas, some major rest stops will open additional staff bathrooms and increase service personnel, expanding the operation of convenience facilities.

At key rest areas and gas stations, a variety of activities such as safe driving campaigns, traditional folk games, and bottled water distribution will also be held.

An official from the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Regional Headquarters of Korea Expressway Corporation stated, "As traffic volume is expected to surge especially on Chuseok day, we ask drivers to check traffic information before departure and take sufficient breaks when driving long distances."

This year, a major variable for Chuseok traffic is the short holiday period, which means travel demand will be highly concentrated during specific times.

In particular, road congestion is expected to be much higher than usual on Chuseok due to the overlap of homebound and grave-visiting vehicles.

Alongside efforts by traffic authorities to disperse traffic, it will be crucial for drivers to avoid peak congestion times and use real-time traffic updates to reduce both traffic jams and the risk of accidents.

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