National Route 31 (South Korea)

National Route 31 is a national highway that runs from the city of Busan, Gijang County, in South Korea, to Singosan (Kosan) and Anbyeon counties in North Korea. Because of the division of the Korean Peninsula, it effectively ends in Yanggu. The route was established on 31 August 1971.

History

August 31, 1971: National Route No. 31 Pohang ~ Singosan Line was designated by the General National Highway Route Designation Order.
March 14, 1973: Due to the construction of Soyanggang Dam, the road section from Sinnam-ri, Nam-myeon, Inje-gun to Won-ri, Nam-myeon, Yanggu-gun (15.5 km) that was to be submerged was changed to 13.921 km
February 22, 1980: 602m section at Johang-dong, Naemyeon, Hongcheon-gun opened and existing 960m section abolished
March 14, 1981: Starting point extended from 'Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do' to 'Ulsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do'. Accordingly, changed from 'Pohang ~ Singosan Line' to 'Ulsan ~ Singosan Line'.
April 13, 1981: 72 km section from Sangnam-ri, Girin-myeon, Inje-gun to Dochon-ri, Nam-myeon, Yanggu-gun upgraded to national highway and opened, existing designated section from Sangnam-ri, Girin-myeon, Inje-gun to Dochon-ri, Nam-myeon, Yanggu-gun (50 km) abolished
May 8, 1981: 71.7 km section from Suryeom-ri, Yangnam-myeon, Wolseong-gun to Daeheung-dong, Pohang-si upgraded to national highway and opened
May 12, 1981: 22.62 km section from Sinhyeon-ri to Sinpyeong-ri, Gangdong-myeon, Ulju-gun upgraded to national highway and opened
May 30, 1981: Road zone changed to 98 km section extended according to the amendment of Presidential Decree No. 10247 General National Highway Route Designation Order
January 28, 1987: Existing designated section from Hyeoldong, Taebaek-si to Cheonpyeong-ri (Chilrang-ri), Sangdong-eup, Yeongwol-gun (13.5 km) abolished
July 15, 1994: 2 km section at Daehwa-ri, Daehwa-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun opened
January 12, 1995: Yanggu ~ Wontong Road (Ipyeong-ri, Inje-eup, Inje-gun ~ Yongha-ri, Nam-myeon, Yanggu-gun) 19.9 km section opened
July 1, 1996: Starting point extended from 'Ulsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do' to 'Ilgwang-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan Metropolitan City'. Accordingly, changed to 'Busan ~ Singosan Line'.
June 15, 1997: Section from Deokgu-ri to Naedeok-ri, Sangdong-eup, Yeongwol-gun opened, existing 400m section abolished
September 20, 1997: Seomchon Bridge (Seomchon-ri, Irwol-myeon, Yeongyang-gun) 940m section reconstruction opened, existing 360m section abolished
July 7, 1998: Guji Bridge (Guji-ri, Gigye-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si) 660m section reconstruction opened, existing section abolished
May 15, 1999: Guryongpo ~ Pohang Road (Yakjeon-ri, Donghae-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si ~ Irwol-dong) 2.25 km section expansion opened
December 31, 1999: Guryongpo ~ Pohang Road (Seok-ri, Donghae-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si ~ Yakjeon-ri) 1.1 km section expansion opened
February 24, 2000: Seok-ri, Donghae-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do ~ Yugang-ri, Yeonil-eup, Buk-gu (19.1 km section) designated as Automobile-only Road
December 20, 2000: Guryongpo ~ Pohang Road (Hajeong-ri, Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si ~ Sangjeong-ri, Donghae-myeon) 6.24 km section expansion opened
January 22, 2001: Daeryeon Intersection (Daeryeon-ri, Heunghae-eup, Buk-gu, Pohang-si) on Gangdong ~ Heunghae Road grade separation opened
May 25, 2001: Guryongpo ~ Pohang Road (Sangjeong 1 Overpass, Sangjeong-ri, Donghae-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si ~ Seokdong 1 Overpass, Seok-ri) 1.96 km section expansion opened
September 19, 2001: Guryongpo ~ Pohang Road (Hajeong-ri, Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si ~ Irwol-dong) 12.48 km section expansion opened
December 29, 2001: Hapgang-ri, Inje-eup, Inje-gun ~ Wontong-ri, Buk-myeon (4.3 km section) expansion opened, existing 6.9 km section abolished
December 31, 2001: Bunam Bypass Road (Daejeon-ri, Bunam-myeon, Cheongsong-gun ~ Gamyeon-ri) 2.484 km section expansion opened and existing 3.19 km section abolished, Cheongsong ~ Pacheon Road (Geumgok-ri, Cheongsong-eup, Cheongsong-gun ~ Gwan-ri, Pacheon-myeon) 5.72 km section expansion opened and existing 6.14 km section abolished
November 12, 2002: Yangnam Bypass Road (Suryeom-ri, Yangnam-myeon, Gyeongju-si ~ Haseo-ri) 3.18 km section opened, existing 3.31 km section abolished
January 1, 2003: Yeongyang Bypass Road (Hyeon-ri, Yeongyang-eup, Yeongyang-gun ~ Dongbu-ri) 6.005 km section expansion opened, existing 4.5 km section abolished
November 9, 2005: Yugang-ri, Yeonil-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si ~ Seonggok-ri, Heunghae-eup, Buk-gu (9.58 km section) designated as Automobile-only Road
February 16, 2006: Bonggil-ri, Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju-si (1.3 km section) relocation opened, existing 1.8 km section abolished
December 27, 2006: Pohang-si National Highway Alternative Bypass Road (Mundeok ~ Yugang Road, Ubokri, Yeonil-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si ~ Yugang-ri) 5.64 km section new construction opened
December 27, 2007: Suryeom-ri, Yangnam-myeon, Gyeongju-si (400m section) on Ulsan ~ Gangdong Road expansion opened
March 5, 2009: Sangyeonam Intersection ~ Sinmyeong Intersection (Yeonam-dong, Buk-gu, Ulsan Metropolitan City ~ Sinmyeong-dong) 11 km section on Ulsan ~ Gangdong Road designated as Automobile-only Road
July 10, 2009: Donggang Bridge (Hasong-ri, Yeongwol-eup, Yeongwol-gun ~ Deokpo-ri) section expansion opened
June 28, 2010: Imdang ~ Dumil Road (Imdang-ri, Dong-myeon, Yanggu-gun ~ Wolun-ri) 3.63 km section realignment opened
September 14, 2010: Bukssang-ri, Nam-myeon, Yeongwol-gun section realignment
June 10, 2011: Cheoyong-ri, Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan Metropolitan City ~ Duwang-dong, Nam-gu (6.5 km section) designated as Automobile-only Road
September 27, 2011: Icheon-ri, Ilgwang-myeon, Gijang-gun, Busan Metropolitan City ~ Gangyang-ri, Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan Metropolitan City (19.09 km section) designated as Automobile-only Road
December 23, 2011: Pohang-si National Highway Alternative Bypass Road (Yugang-ri, Yeonil-eup, Pohang-si ~ Daeryeon-ri, Heunghae-eup, 4.6 km section and Seok-ri, Donghae-myeon, Pohang-si ~ Daegak-ri, Daesong-myeon, 11.74 km section) new construction opened
September 27, 2012: Eupcheon-ri, Yangnam-myeon, Gyeongju-si ~ Bonggil-ri, Yangbuk-myeon (6.0 km section) expansion opened, existing 6.9 km section abolished
July 1, 2014: Onsan ~ Duwang Road (Cheoyong-ri, Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun ~ Duwang-dong, Nam-gu) 6.5 km section expansion opened
October 29, 2014: Ipam Bypass Road (Samsan-ri, Ipam-myeon, Yeongyang-gun ~ Singu-ri) 2.06 km section new construction opened and existing 2.3 km section abolished
December 26, 2014: Gijang ~ Jangan Road (Icheon-ri, Ilgwang-myeon, Gijang-gun ~ Imnang-ri, Jangan-eup) 6.03 km section new construction opened, existing Samseong-ri, Ilgwang-myeon, Gijang-gun ~ Wolnae-ri, Jangan-eup (9.57 km section) abolished
December 30, 2014: Yeongwol ~ Jungdong Bypass Road (Nokjeon-ri, Jungdong-myeon, Yeongwol-gun ~ Imok-ri) 4.0 km section opened, Gyeongju ~ Gampo Road (Najeong-ri, Gampo-eup, Gyeongju-si ~ Jeonchon-ri) 570m section expansion opened
December 31, 2014: Dangwol-ri, Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun (420m section) partially opened
June 10, 2015: Nammyeon Bypass Road (Juk-ri, Nam-myeon, Yanggu-gun ~ Yachon-ri) 6.64 km section expansion opened, existing Guam-ri, Nam-myeon, Yanggu-gun ~ Yachon-ri (8.14 km section) abolished
September 10, 2015: Surari Pass Tunnel (Imok-ri, Jungdong-myeon, Yeongwol-gun ~ Hwawon-ri) 6.0 km section expansion opened, existing 5.1 km section abolished
April 10, 2017: Nasa-ri, Saengseong-myeon, Ulju-gun (170m section) opened, existing 220m section abolished
May 10, 2017: Yeongwol ~ Bangnim Road Section 2 (Yeondeok-ri, Buk-myeon, Yeongwol-gun ~ Ha-ri, Pyeongchang-eup, Pyeongchang-gun) 13.54 km section expansion opened, existing 16.74 km section abolished
December 27, 2017: Dunnae ~ Mui Road Section 2 (Yongjeon-ri, Yongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun ~ Soksa-ri) total 8.52 km section expansion opened
January 30, 2018: Socheon ~ Dogye Road Section 1 (Hyeondong-ri, Socheon-myeon, Bonghwa-gun ~ Goseon-ri) 10.02 km section temporarily opened, Socheon ~ Dogye Road Section 2 (Goseon-ri, Socheon-myeon, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do ~ Jangseong-dong, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do) 10.19 km section early opening
March 7, 2018: Jangan ~ Onsan Road Section 1 (Jwacheon-ri, Jangan-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan Metropolitan City ~ Myeongsan-ri, Saengseong-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan Metropolitan City) 7.68 km section new construction opened, existing Wolnae-ri, Jangan-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan Metropolitan City ~ Sinam-ri, Saengseong-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan Metropolitan City (2.5 km section) abolished
March 15, 2018: For smooth implementation of the Jangan ~ Saengseong national highway relocation construction within the Shin-Kori Nuclear Power Plant Units 5 and 6 construction project area, the abolished section was corrected from Wolnae-ri, Jangan-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan Metropolitan City ~ Sinam-ri, Saengseong-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan Metropolitan City (2.5 km section) to Wolnae-ri, Jangan-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan Metropolitan City ~ Gilcheon-ri (200m section)
March 27, 2018: Due to completion of Socheon ~ Dogye Road Section 2, existing Goseon-ri, Socheon-myeon, Bonghwa-gun ~ Daehyeon-ri, Seokpo-myeon (12.1 km section) abolished
July 3, 2018: Heunghae ~ Gigye Road Section 2 (Naedan-ri, Gigye-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si ~ Hyeonnae-ri) 620m section expansion opened and existing section abolished
September 21, 2018: Heunghae ~ Gigye Road Section 1 (Naedan-ri, Gigye-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si ~ Dasan-ri, Gangdong-myeon, Gyeongju-si) 5.5 km section partially opened, existing 4.01 km section abolished
October 10, 2018: For smooth implementation of the Jangan ~ Saengseong national highway relocation construction within the Shin-Kori Nuclear Power Plant Units 5 and 6 construction project area, Gilcheon-ri, Jangan-eup, Gijang-gun, Busan Metropolitan City (approximately 100m section) additionally abolished
October 17, 2018: Due to completion of Socheon ~ Dogye Road Section 1, existing Hyeondong-ri, Socheon-myeon, Bonghwa-gun ~ Goseon-ri (13.2 km section) abolished
October 31, 2018: Gampo ~ Guryongpo Road (Najeong-ri, Gampo-eup, Gyeongju-si ~ Oryu-ri) 4.98 km section expansion opened and existing 4.9 km section abolished
December 27, 2018: Heunghae ~ Gigye Road Section 1 (Daeryeon-ri, Heunghae-eup, Buk-gu, Pohang-si ~ Daljeon-ri, Yeonil-eup, Nam-gu) 2.8 km section expansion opened, existing Hakjeon-ri, Yeonil-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si ~ Daljeon-ri (1.6 km section) abolished
December 31, 2018: Yeongwol ~ Bangnim Road Section 1 (Hupyeong-ri, Pyeongchang-eup, Pyeongchang-gun ~ Bangnim-ri, Bangnim-myeon) 6.2 km section expansion opened, existing 6.1 km section and Bangnim-ri, Bangnim-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun (500m section) abolished
June 21, 2019: Omijae Tunnel (Sangnam-ri, Sangnam-myeon, Inje-gun ~ Hanam-ri) 2.79 km section new construction opened, existing Sangnam-ri, Sangnam-myeon, Inje-gun (2.2 km section) abolished
August 1, 2019: Jangan ~ Onsan Road Section 2 (Gangyang-ri, Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun ~ Dangwol-ri) 2.4 km section partial expansion opened, existing 3.4 km section abolished
November 15, 2019: Jangan ~ Onsan Road Section 2 (Myeongsan-ri, Saengseong-myeon, Ulju-gun ~ Gangyang-ri, Onsan-eup) 5.59 km section new construction opened, existing Sinam-ri, Saengseong-myeon, Ulju-gun ~ Gangyang-ri, Onsan-eup (11.1 km section) abolished
December 24, 2020: Cheongsong Bypass Road (Cheongun-ri, Cheongsong-eup, Cheongsong-gun ~ Geumgok-ri) 4.4 km section new construction opened
January 14, 2021: Due to opening of Cheongsong Bypass Road, existing Cheongun-ri, Cheongsong-eup, Cheongsong-gun ~ Geumgok-ri (4.1 km section) abolished
April 2, 2021: Sangnam-ri, Sangnam-myeon, Inje-gun (600m section) opened, existing section abolished
May 31, 2023: Samjahyeon Tunnel (Dopyeong-ri, Hyeondong-myeon, Cheongsong-gun ~ Daejeon-ri, Bunam-myeon) 4.76 km section temporarily opened until June 6
June 7, 2023: Samjahyeon Tunnel opened