Gangwon State inspects winter snow-removal preparations; deploys 44,286 tonnes of de-icing materials and 248 pieces of equipment

 

【Financial News, Wonju = Reporter Kim Gi-seop】An emergency response system in which Gangwon State and its 18 cities and counties work together will be activated again this winter, even if extreme snowfall overwhelms the snow-removal capacity of individual cities and counties.
According to Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province on the 5th, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs Won-chul Shin visited the Road Management Office in Usan-dong, Wonju-si, that day to inspect preparations for this winter’s road snow removal and encourage staff on site. He reviewed the operating condition of snow-removal equipment, de-icing material stockpiles and phased response plans for different weather conditions.
The province has designated the four months from the 15th through March 15 next year as a special snow-removal period and will operate 38 snow-clearing depots along 2,116 km of delegated national highways and provincial roads. It will also deploy 44,286 tonnes of de-icing materials and 248 pieces of equipment. When snow is forecast, equipment will be pre-positioned at sites up to six hours in advance, and de-icing materials will be spread first on roads prone to recurring ice to speed up the initial response.
The provincial and city-and-county emergency snow-removal response teams, launched late last year, will also be reactivated during the special period. Set up to prepare for extreme snowfall that individual cities and counties may struggle to handle alone due to severe weather, the teams will operate across four regions, centered on the provincial government’s Roads Division and involving the Wonju main office, four road management offices—including those in Gangneung, Taebaek and the northern region—and all 18 cities and counties.
Vice Governor for Economic Affairs Won-chul Shin said, “The starting point for protecting residents’ safety is to position equipment at key points as soon as a forecast is issued, not after the snow falls,” and added, “Winter roads can remain passable thanks to staff who stay at their posts even in bad weather. Please keep up your efforts this winter as well so residents and tourists can travel with peace of mind.”

[email protected] Kim Gi-seop Reporter