Chungcheongbuk-do launches petition for expressway expansion

Chungcheongbuk-do province has launched a province-wide signature campaign to demand the expansion of the Jungbu and Gyeongbu Expressways. The initiative follows 20 years of repeated feasibility studies and aims to demonstrate strong public and corporate will to the central government.

The expansion projects include increasing the Jungbu Expressway from four to six lanes between Jeungpyeong and Hobeop (54.2 km), expanding the Gyeongbu Expressway from eight to ten lanes between Hoedeok and Cheongju (18.9 km), and widening the Seocheongju to Jeungpyeong section (15.8 km) from four to six lanes.

Traffic congestion is severe, with daily volumes reaching up to 84,000 vehicles, significantly exceeding the optimal capacity of 50,300. The rapid growth of industrial complexes in the Cheongju, Jincheon, and Eumseong areas has increased the proportion of freight vehicles to approximately 30–34%, impacting national logistics competitiveness. The province plans to deliver the collected signatures to the government by the end of October.