Among 43 New Routes, 21 Concentrated in Gyeonggi-do
3 Express, 1 Regular, 17 Metropolitan Routes... Confirmed in First Half
[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] The government's '4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan' revealed that it focuses on connecting major hubs at high speed in the congested metropolitan area, while improving accessibility to the metropolitan area through the extension of metropolitan railroads in non-metropolitan regions.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and Gyeonggi Province on the 25th, a total of 43 new lines nationwide are included in the 4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan, and 57 existing projects are currently underway.
Among them, 21 new lines are concentrated in Gyeonggi Province, including ▲3 high-speed rail lines such as Gyeongbu High-Speed Line Susaek~Geumcheon-gu Office ▲1 general railroad line Pyeongtaek-Bubal Line ▲17 metropolitan railroad lines such as Western Metropolitan Express Railroad Janggi~Bucheon Sports Complex.
As a result, it is expected that traffic congestion in the metropolitan area will be significantly alleviated, and in particular, seven railroad lines promoted by Goyang City and Paju City have been reflected, making them the areas expected to benefit the most from transportation improvements.
The Goyang Eunpyeong Line, Incheon Line 2 extension to Ilsanseo-gu, Ilsan Line extension to Geumneung, and Shinbundang Line northwest extension to Samsong were included in the 4th plan.
Paju City's key project, the extension of Line 3 (Ilsan Line) to Paju, connects Daehwa and Unjeong to Geumneung Station, and the Tongillo Line (Jori-Geumchon Line) and Gyoeoseon are included in additional review projects.
The Gyeongbu High-Speed Line Susaek~Geumcheon-gu Office and Gwangmyeong~Pyeongtaek lines, the connection between the West Sea Line and Gyeongbu High-Speed Line, and the Pyeongtaek~Bubal Line are aimed at high-speed connections between major hubs of general railroads and expressification of existing lines.
To alleviate traffic congestion in the metropolitan area, a metropolitan railroad was newly established in the western region, and metropolitan railroads from Yongmun to Hongcheon and Dongtan to Cheongju Airport were included in non-metropolitan areas.
In addition, 14 lines including urban railroad extension-type metropolitan railroads and new metropolitan railroads such as the Byeollae Line and Bundang Line extensions focused on improving mobility between major development areas on the outskirts of the metropolitan area such as 2nd and 3rd generation new towns and Seoul.
The government disclosed the draft results of the '4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan' establishment project at a public hearing held by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on the 22nd.
The 'National Railroad Network Construction Plan' is a long-term vision and strategy for Korea's railroads and a mid- to long-term plan for 10 years to improve railroad operation efficiency.
The '4th National Railroad Network Construction Plan' is scheduled to be finalized and announced in the first half of the year after preliminary feasibility studies by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, consultations with related agencies, national planning evaluations, and reviews by the Railroad Industry Committee.
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