[Anchor]

Traffic through the tunnel where the fire occurred was restricted until late this afternoon, but I understand that some lanes have just reopened. Let’s connect with our reporter at Daegwallyeong to check the current situation.

Reporter Jo Jaegeun, how is the highway traffic now?

[Reporter]

I am currently at the Daegwallyeong Interchange.

As you can see behind me, traffic is flowing smoothly at the moment.

This is because the number of vehicles on the highway decreased after the news of the accident broke, and traffic has dispersed since one of the two lanes in the Daegwallyeong Tunnel 4, which had been closed, reopened at approximately 5:58 PM today.

However, traffic remains congested in some sections heading from Daegwallyeong to Gangneung, and the area experienced severe gridlock until just about an hour and 40 minutes ago.

As vehicles waiting on the highway diverted to national and local roads all at once, the entire area turned into a giant parking lot.

The travel time from Seoul to Gangneung, which usually takes 2 hours and 50 minutes, more than doubled for some drivers.

[Interview: Lee Seok-gyu / Hanam, Gyeonggi-do: I left at 10:30 AM and just arrived here. It is now 5:37 PM... (So it took about 7 hours since 10:30 AM?) Yes, yes. I am hungry and exhausted. I was heading to my in-laws' house for the first time in a while...]

[Anchor]

It is a relief that the lanes have reopened, but when will full access be possible?

[Reporter]

Restoration work is still in full swing at the Daegwallyeong Tunnel 4, where the fire occurred.

The Korea Expressway Corporation stated that the fire caused lighting and communication cables inside the tunnel to burn and fall, and some of the road pavement was also damaged.

Currently, about 10 pieces of equipment and over 20 personnel have been deployed. The Korea Expressway Corporation announced that they will conduct restoration work throughout the night and plan to fully reopen both lanes tomorrow once repairs are completed and safety is confirmed.

(Video coverage: Kim Dae-cheol)