[Anchor]

Angicheon Stream in downtown Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, which was covered and turned into a road during urbanization, is returning to the citizens after 30 years. It will be restored into an eco-cultural space where people can enjoy walks and relaxation, much like Seoul's Cheonggyecheon Stream, by 2029. A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday (September 9).

TBC reporter Jung Sung-wook has the details.

[Reporter]

Construction has begun to restore Andong's Angicheon Stream, which had been covered by a road for more than 30 years, back into an ecological river.

The section to be restored spans 575 meters from Yeonggyagyo Intersection to Cheonlicheon Stream.

An eco-cultural space featuring squares, walking trails, and healing resting areas for citizens to stroll and relax will be created, with completion targeted for 2029.

[Kwon Ki-chang / Mayor of Andong: When water flows and people live alongside it, it can be reborn as an ecological river. We will successfully restore Angicheon Stream to create a space where citizens can comfortably engage in activities.]

Citizens also have high expectations for the creation of a pleasant waterfront space in the cramped urban center, akin to Seoul's Cheonggyecheon Stream.

[Woo Hwi-sam / Seogu-dong, Andong: It seems like it will be wonderful both culturally and for utilizing our living space. I think it will be great to walk along the stream and things like that.]

The project, with a budget of 49.6 billion won, is a joint effort involving North Gyeongsang Province, the City of Andong, and the Korea Water Resources Corporation. Beyond simple river maintenance, the core objective is to open up blocked waterways to restore the urban ecosystem and recreational spaces.

[Jeon Ja-hoon / Head of the Nakdong River Northern Business Division, Korea Water Resources Corporation: We expect this to improve the urban heat island effect and provide an urban residential environment where a clean, breathing ecosystem thrives.]

The river restoration construction will proceed in stages, following the installation of maintenance water pipelines and the removal of the covered road. Measures have also been prepared to minimize traffic and noise disruptions during the construction period.

Once Andong's historic waterway, Angicheon Stream, returns to the embrace of its citizens after 30 years, it is expected to improve the urban environment and breathe new vitality into the city.

(Photo: Kim Young-hwan, TBC)

Jung Sung-wook, TBC