Yangju, South Korea – On Monday, February 23, 2026, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly member Lee Young-ju (People Power Party, Yangju 1) hosted a public briefing in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, focusing on the planned Gyeonggi Northern Central Expressway and National Route 39. The meeting, held near the Gisan-ri Tunnel entrance, directly addressed resident concerns regarding the major infrastructure projects.
Approximately 200 attendees, including officials from the Gyeonggi Province Road Policy and Northern Road divisions, Yangju City Council members Han Sang-min and Kang Hye-sook, local village chiefs from Baekseok, Gwangjeok, and Jangheung townships, and area residents, participated in the session. The briefing aimed to review the progress of key road projects within Yangju City and gather public input to ensure smooth implementation, according to reports.
Residents voiced significant concerns regarding a 2-kilometer stretch of National Route 39 near the Gisan-ri tourist area, specifically requesting the installation of pedestrian walkways. Attendees emphasized the existing lack of pedestrian safety measures along a heavily trafficked route used by both tourists and local residents, citing potential accident risks. A recurring theme was the absence of dedicated U-turn lanes on National Route 39, forcing drivers to make lengthy detours, contributing to both traffic congestion and safety hazards.
Discussions also centered on the Gyeonggi Northern Central Expressway, often referred to as the “1.5 Circular Road.” Residents questioned the project’s implementation method and funding structure. Several attendees pointed to a perceived disparity in funding approaches, noting that many northern Gyeonggi Province road projects rely heavily on private financing, while projects in the southern region receive a larger proportion of public funding, raising concerns about equitable resource allocation.
The Gyeonggi Northern Central Expressway, a 42.7-kilometer east-west transportation artery connecting Goyang, Paju, Yangju, Uijeongbu, and Namyangju, is currently planned as a public-private partnership with a projected total cost of 2.0506 trillion won. The province aims for completion by 2034, according to information presented at the briefing.
Lee Young-ju, addressing the concerns raised, acknowledged the need for improved pedestrian safety and traffic flow along National Route 39. He also committed to further investigation into the funding discrepancies highlighted by residents, promising to advocate for a more balanced approach to infrastructure investment across Gyeonggi Province. No immediate solutions were announced, but Lee indicated a follow-up meeting would be scheduled to discuss potential remedies.
