Budget of 226.1 Billion Won Secured for Gwangju-Wando Expressway Next Year

Administrative Efforts Focused on Starting Construction of Gangjin-Haenam Section Before Completion of Gwangju-Gangjin Section

Expressway Route Map between Gwangju and Wando (Photo by Wando-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Wando County, Jeollanam-do (Governor Shin Woo-cheol) announced on the 21st that despite the government's fiscal tightening due to COVID-19, it has secured 226.1 billion KRW in project funds for the first phase (Gwangju?Gangjin section) of the Gwangju?Wando Expressway for next year.

The Gwangju?Wando Expressway project is a large-scale national project requiring about 2.6 trillion KRW to construct an 88.61 km long, 4-lane expressway.

After a feasibility reassessment in 2014, a revised plan was made dividing the project into two phases: Phase 1 from Byeokjin-dong, Gwangju to Seongjeon, Gangjin, and Phase 2 from Seongjeon, Gangjin to Namchang, Haenam. The first phase began construction in August 2017.

The current progress rate is 41%, with construction actively underway, aiming for completion in December 2024.

Wando County has been continuously urging the central government to start construction of the second phase before the completion of the first phase, considering economic analyses (B/C) and comprehensive evaluations (A.H.P) reflecting changed conditions such as the opening of Jangbogo Bridge at the end of 2017 and the promotion of the marine healing industry, a key county project.

A county official stated, “The securing of this project fund is the result of multifaceted efforts, including frequent visits to the National Assembly, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Budget and Accounts Committee together with Jeollanam-do since early this year to explain and advocate the necessity of the project.”

Shin Woo-cheol, Governor of Wando County, said, “We will ensure that national funding for the construction of the first phase is secured without any setbacks every year, and strive to enable early commencement of the second phase to achieve regional balanced development through improved accessibility and establishment of a wide-area transportation network.”