Changwon-si, Opening of 'Gapo New Port Tunnel'

Wolyeong-dong Coastal Road~Gapo New Port 3.95km Completion

▲ On the 20th, Mayor Heo Seong-mu of Changwon and residents participated in the opening ceremony of the Gaposhinhang Tunnel (Photo by Changwon City Hall).

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] Changwon City announced on the 22nd that it held an opening ceremony on the 20th for the road connecting the coastal road in Wolyeong-dong, Masanhappo-gu to Gapo New Port (Gapo New Port Tunnel).

The opening ceremony was attended by Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-mu, officials from the Masan Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office, and local residents.

The Masan Port access road construction project is a fully government-funded project promoted through a consignment agreement between Changwon City and the Masan Regional Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Office in line with the wide-area development of Masan Port. It is a road construction project covering a total of 7.91 km from Wolyeong-dong, Masanhappo-gu to Deokdong. Among this, the 3.95 km section from Wolyeong-dong to Machang Bridge was opened on this day.

With the opening of the Gapo New Port Tunnel, the transportation route for port cargo will be secured and the cargo movement distance will be significantly shortened. Originally, it took more than 10 minutes to cross Gapo Hill from Wolyeong-dong direction to Gapo IC (National Road No. 5), but by using the Gapo New Port Tunnel road, the travel time from Wolyeong-dong to Gapo-dong is reduced to 2-3 minutes, which is expected to contribute to reducing logistics costs for port cargo, enhancing the competitiveness of Masan Port, and alleviating traffic inconvenience for local residents.

Mayor Heo Seong-mu said, “We expect indirect effects that will stimulate the local economy and create jobs following the opening of the Gapo New Port Tunnel,” and added, “We will continue to attract national government-funded projects for Changwon’s great leap and great innovation, doing our best to enjoy both direct and indirect effects.”