New crosswalk added near Exit 3 of Sadang Station

Move expected to improve pedestrian flow and ease congestion at median bus stop

Third such improvement after Gangnam Station and Cheongnyangni fruit market stops

Seoul Metropolitan Government vows to identify more congested stops

The median bus stop at Sadang Station after a new crosswalk was installed to ease congestion. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]
The median bus stop at Sadang Station after a new crosswalk was installed to ease congestion. [Seoul Metropolitan Government]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has installed a new crosswalk at the median bus stop near Exit 3 of Sadang Station to improve pedestrian safety and public transit convenience, the city announced June 14. The addition is expected to reduce crowding and streamline foot traffic at one of Seoul's busiest transit hubs, where commuters frequently transfer between city and intercity buses and the subway.

The city has been upgrading high-congestion median bus stops as part of an effort to address transit inconveniences reported by residents. The initiative was recognized as a model of innovative public administration in 2023, and improvements have since been made at the Gangnam Station median stop in November 2023 and the stop in front of the Cheongnyangni fruit market in December 2024.

The Sadang Station crosswalk marks the third improvement under the project. The city selected the site because of the stop's high density of users and the need to distribute them more efficiently. The crosswalk opened June 9, and the city said congestion relief effects have already been observed.

Previously, crosswalks existed only at both ends of the median stop, which caused users to cluster near the front crossing closest to the station exit. During rush hours, some pedestrians were even seen walking along the roadway to reach the crosswalk.

The new mid-stop crosswalk gives pedestrians a direct route from the middle of the platform, naturally spreading demand away from the front crossing. The city expects the change to shorten walking distances and reduce wait-time frustration for those moving between the station entrance and the bus stop.

Building on the results at Sadang Station, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to survey additional median stops where heavy congestion causes inconvenience or where pedestrians must take lengthy detours, and to roll out tailored improvements at each location.

"The new crosswalk at the Sadang Station median stop will help reduce crowding and significantly improve the convenience of getting around for users," said Yeo Jang-gwon, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Transportation Bureau.


ikson@heraldcorp.com