Hello, this is 속초어때 (Sokcho Eottae). It is midnight on Wednesday, September 23. Today is the autumnal equinox, and the Chuseok holiday begins tomorrow. Right now Sokcho (속초) is 19°C and clear, with a daytime high of 23°C and a 0% chance of rain. Misiryeong-ro (미시령로), Donghae-daero (동해대로), and Seoraksan-ro (설악산로) are all flowing smoothly. Today, ahead of the holiday, we'd like to share news that is a little further off but will greatly change traffic in Sokcho. Sopyeong-ro (소평로), which will lead to Sokcho Station, is being widened to a four-lane road (two lanes each way).
What is changing: 1.56 km of Sopyeong-ro, from 12 m to 25 m wide
The 'Station Area Urban Infrastructure Expansion Project' pursued by Sokcho City has been finally selected as a new 2027 Border Area Development Support project by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The target is the 1.56 km section of Sopyeong-ro running from Sopyeong Intersection (소평사거리) to Nori Intersection (노리사거리).
- Road width: The current two-lane road (one lane each way), about 12 m wide, will be widened to a 25 m wide four-lane road (two lanes each way). The road width will more than double.
- Facilities upgraded at the same time: One bridge and infrastructure such as water supply and sewer lines
- Project period: 2027–2029
- Total project cost: 26.3 billion KRW
Since it widens a two-lane road to four lanes, it may look like simply adding lanes. But the project also overhauls the water supply and sewer lines under the road. It is done all at once to reduce the need to dig the road up again for pipe work after it has been widened.
Why Sopyeong-ro: the key access road to Sokcho Station
Two railways will be coming to Sokcho. One is the East-West High-Speed Railway connecting Chuncheon (춘천) and Sokcho, and the other is the Donghae Bukbu Line connecting Gangneung (강릉) and Jejin (제진). Both lines pass through Sokcho Station, and Sopyeong-ro is the key access road leading to that station.
The current two-lane road causes no inconvenience now because there is not much traffic on it. That will change once the station opens. Taxis and buses picking up people getting off the train, cars coming to meet family, and rental cars will all converge at once. It will be even worse on days when crowds gather, such as national holidays or the summer peak season. Rather than widening the road after the station opens and it gets congested, this project aims to widen it in advance to match the opening date.
Who pays: 18.41 billion KRW in national funds out of 26.3 billion KRW
Looking at how the project cost is broken down shows why Sokcho City welcomes this selection.
- National funds: 18.41 billion KRW (about 70%)
- Provincial funds: 2.367 billion KRW
- City funds: 5.523 billion KRW
The 18.41 billion KRW in national funds is the largest amount for a single project among the new projects selected in the Gangwon region this time. If Sokcho City had borne the full 26.3 billion KRW, it would have had to pour budget meant for other projects into this one for some time. With national funds covering 70%, the city's financial burden has been greatly reduced.
Earlier, 속초어때 reported on securing 16.9 billion KRW in national funds for the Ssangcheon (쌍천) underground dam water conveyance pipeline. That means national funds have been secured one after another this month alone for two major pieces of infrastructure: water supply and roads.
When will it be widened: construction starts in the first half of 2028, completion targeted for 2029
The schedule is the part most easily misunderstood right now. National funds have been secured, but construction is not starting right away. The steps ahead are as follows.
- Urban planning change
- Detailed design
- Permits and approvals
- Land compensation
- Construction start in the first half of 2028
- Completion targeted for 2029 (timed to the railway opening)
So there will be no traffic jams on Sopyeong-ro due to construction during this Chuseok holiday or this year's autumn foliage season. Those coming to Sokcho from tomorrow do not need to change their routes because of this project.
What residents should keep in mind: roadside land and public inspection notices
When a 12 m road is widened to 25 m, the road expands by more than 6 m on each side. If you own land or buildings along Sopyeong-ro, you should pay close attention to the procedures ahead.
- Public inspection of urban planning changes: The road alignment and the area to be incorporated are determined at this stage. You can submit opinions by checking the notice board on the Sokcho City Hall website and the public inspection period for residents.
- Land compensation: Land to be incorporated will go through an appraisal, followed by the compensation process. When you receive a notice by mail, it is best to check it within the deadline.
- Detours during construction: After construction begins in 2028, there may be lane closures. If you commute along this road, it is a good idea to plan a detour in advance for that period.
The route and incorporated area have not been finalized, as the design has not yet been done. Rather than making decisions based on rumors, we recommend relying on the official notices issued by the city.
The day before the Chuseok holiday, here is today's traffic in Sokcho
That's enough about the distant future; let's talk about today. As of midnight, all three major roads into Sokcho are flowing smoothly.
- Misiryeong-ro (toward Seoul): Smooth
- Donghae-daero (coast and downtown): Smooth
- Seoraksan-ro (toward Seorak): Smooth
However, since today is the last weekday before the holiday, holiday travel and tourist traffic is likely to increase from the afternoon. If Sokcho residents are heading to other regions, or if you plan to come into Sokcho today, leaving in the morning is generally easier. There is no rain in the forecast and the chance of rain is 0%, so driving visibility is good.
Among tourist sites, only the Daepo Port (대포항) Observatory is currently 'crowded', while Cheongchoho Lake (청초호), Cheongchoho Lake Park (청초호호수공원), Sinheungsa Temple (신흥사), 테라크랩팜 (Terra Crab Farm), and 한화리조트 설악 워터피아 (Hanwha Resort Seorak Waterpia) are 'moderate'. The sea is fairly calm, with a water temperature of 23°C and wave height of 0.9 m. The beaches have already closed for the season and there are no lifeguards, so please enjoy only a walk along the water's edge.
A quick look at other Sokcho news ahead of the holiday
- Traditional market shopping: Ahead of Chuseok, Sokcho City is holding a traditional market shopping event and urging people to spend at local neighborhood shops. It is more relaxed to finish shopping for the ancestral memorial table today, before the holiday.
- Flu vaccination: Flu vaccinations have begun in Sokcho and Yangyang. Start dates differ by eligible group, so check the public health center's guidance.
- Ferris wheel: An appeal trial is under way over whether it will be demolished or kept. Whether it operates may change before the ruling, so it is best to check before visiting.
To sum up
The Sopyeong-ro widening is not a change you will feel during this holiday. Still, when the era of coming to Sokcho by train arrives in a few years, this project will decide whether the first road from the station into downtown is jammed or clear. 속초어때 will keep watching how design and compensation proceed over the year and a half remaining until construction begins.
Today we looked at the four-lane widening project for Sopyeong-ro leading to Sokcho Station and Sokcho's traffic conditions on the day before the Chuseok holiday. Did you find it useful? We'll be back next time with even more useful information.
