The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday it will remove eight additional overpasses starting from next year in an aim to create pedestrian-friendly streets.

Since 1968, a total of 101 overpasses had been constructed in the capital to relieve traffic congestion.

With a more developed transportation system and changes in city infrastructure, the metro government said it decided to remove an additional eight of the remaining overpasses within the next five years. From 2002 to 2015, 18 overpasses were removed from the city.

The overpasses included are in the districts of Hannam, Guro, Nodeul, Sadang, Gangnam Terminal and Yeongdong Expressway.

The city said that the removal of the overpasses also was in response to the increasing suggestions of citizens regarding improving the townscape, as well as revitalizing local economies by re-organizing the surrounding areas into pedestrian-friendly streets.

“When overpasses are removed, the city will be able to build more bus-only lanes and crosswalks to keep the traffic environment convenient for citizens, along with a cleaner townscape,” said Kim Jun-ki, an official from the Seoul City’s public safety division.

Prior to the removal, the city said it will run a traffic simulation to develop traffic signal systems in order to minimize traffic congestion after the overpass removal.

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)