Gyeongju opens urban road linking Dongguk University area to Sanggu

A new urban road connecting Sanggu-ri in Hyeongok-myeon to the city center of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, has opened.

Gyeongju held a completion ceremony for the Dongguk University–Sanggu urban planning road near the Sanggu 3-ri community center in Hyeongok-myeon on Wednesday.

Gyeongju Mayor Ju Nak-young, Gyeongju City Council Vice Speaker Choi Jae-pil, and North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly members Choi Byeong-jun and Bae Jin-seok attended the ceremony.

City council members Lee Kyong-hee, Choi Jin-yeol, Nam Woo-mo and Kim Gyeong-ju, along with community representatives from Hyeongok-myeon and Seonggeon-dong, also attended.

The new road allows residents to travel between Hyeongok-myeon and the city center by a shorter route, avoiding the previous detour around Keungat Mountain.

The road spans 1.35 kilometers from Hwarang Village to the Sanggu 3-ri community center.

The city built a two-lane road 11.1 meters wide and installed sidewalks and one eco-tunnel.

The total project cost was 13.15 billion won ($9.81 million), comprising 1.3 billion won in provincial funding and 11.85 billion won from the city.

The project launched in 2019, with construction beginning in July 2024 and completing this month.

Gyeongju is also pursuing additional road improvements in the area, including construction of an urban planning road between Munhwa Middle and High School and Sanggu-ri, and widening of the road between Hwanggeum Bridge and Geumjang.

"I am grateful to the residents who cooperated with the project over many years," Mayor Ju said. "We will continue to expand the surrounding road network without delay so that citizens can travel more conveniently and safely."