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Yangcheon-gu launches full-scale winter snow-removal plan

by
Park Jong-il
Published : Nov. 9, 2026 - 06:50:23
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A 24-hour snow-removal command center will operate from Sunday through March 15, with 307 pieces of equipment secured. Smart remote de-icing infrastructure expands — road heating strips from 29 to 42 sites, fixed brine sprayers from 8 to 14 — while mobile forward bases and pedestrian-priority zones ensure rapid response from main roads to back alleys.

Snow-removal operations underway
Snow-removal operations underway

Yangcheon-gu will roll out its 2026–2027 winter snow-removal plan from Sunday through March 15 next year, aiming to get ahead of sudden heavy snowfall and road icing while keeping roads safe for residents.

The district will maintain a round-the-clock emergency response system centered on a snow-removal command center, operating a three-tier standby structure that scales with snowfall levels. Thirteen working teams and 18 community service centers will coordinate to deploy roughly 700 personnel in stages. A fleet of 307 pieces of snow-removal equipment will cover a total of 411 kilometers — including 154 km of major arterial roads and 257 km of residential side streets and alleys.

This year, the district is particularly focused on expanding smart remote de-icing infrastructure and key equipment in advance, strengthening its response not only on main roads but throughout residential spaces including sidewalks and back alleys.

Smart snow-removal facilities have been significantly expanded, with a focus on steep slopes and chronically icy stretches. Road heating strips will increase from 29 sites (3.8 km) to 42 sites (5.9 km), and fixed brine sprayers will grow from 8 sites (2.2 km) to 14 sites (4.8 km), enabling rapid remote activation when sudden snowfall hits.

The district has also introduced grooved anti-slip pavement along 2.3 km of ice-prone slopes, where fine grooves cut into the road surface increase friction. The measure is designed to reduce vehicle skidding, improve braking performance and prevent winter accidents.

Snow-clearing support for pedestrians — particularly children and the elderly — has also been strengthened. Thirty "pedestrian-vulnerable segments" have been designated as priority management zones, including school zones on slopes, senior welfare facilities, facilities for people with disabilities, and the surroundings of apartment complexes more than 30 years old. The zones are divided into five areas, with specialized personnel and equipment deployed in concentrated bursts based on snowfall forecasts.

To accelerate initial response, the district will add a mobile forward base in Sinwol-dong to its existing bases in Sinjeong-dong and Mok-dong, speeding up the deployment of equipment and materials to the field. Small snow-removal equipment used on pedestrian paths — including compact spreaders and blowers — will more than double from 61 to 129 units, ensuring thorough coverage from major roads down to narrow alleys.

The district will also continue encouraging residents to take part in snow clearing. Apartment complexes that join road-clearing efforts around their buildings will be eligible for incentives of up to 5 percent when selected for the district's housing support project, based on their snow-removal track record. A new group entry category will be added to the "snow-clearing photo" event, as the district works to build a culture of community-driven snow removal.

Yangcheon-gu was recognized as an outstanding district in the Seoul Metropolitan Government's comprehensive snow-removal evaluation for 2025–2026, in acknowledgment of its expanded equipment fleet, smart de-icing systems and resident participation initiatives.

"This winter is expected to bring above-average precipitation and significant temperature swings, making thorough preparation for sudden heavy snow and road icing essential," Yangcheon-gu District Mayor Lee Gi-jae said. "We will respond swiftly from the first snowfall and manage not only main roads but also alleys and pedestrian paths with care, so residents can get through winter with peace of mind."


seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.

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