By Lee Kyung-min
The Seoul Station Overpass will be closed to traffic starting Dec. 13, a delay from its earlier plan to close it on Nov. 29, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG), Wednesday.
The city said that it needs more time to prepare before closing the site to traffic because it has not come up with a plan for a detour, as the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) has delayed its review of the matter.
The city plans to turn the overpass into an elevated park, similar to New York’s High Line built on an unused elevated railway.
“We have proposed some traffic control plans to the police,” said a city official. “We hope to finish discussions with the police on the issue soon.”
The delay comes hours after the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) gave its final approval for closing the overpass, announcing that it expects no major traffic flow problems. The ministry said the city government will have to discuss detailed traffic control plans with the police to minimize inconveniences to motorists and pedestrians.